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Putin ally promoted in reshuffle Putin ally promoted in reshuffle
(about 20 hours later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has promoted a close ally - defence minister Sergei Ivanov - to the post of first deputy prime minister.Russian President Vladimir Putin has promoted a close ally - defence minister Sergei Ivanov - to the post of first deputy prime minister.
The reshuffle comes just over a year before presidential elections are due.The reshuffle comes just over a year before presidential elections are due.
The promotion is likely to be seen as confirmation that Mr Ivanov is one of two leading candidates to become Russia's next president.The promotion is likely to be seen as confirmation that Mr Ivanov is one of two leading candidates to become Russia's next president.
Russia has been waiting for signals from Mr Putin about who he will back in next year's presidential election race.Russia has been waiting for signals from Mr Putin about who he will back in next year's presidential election race.
In the spotlightIn the spotlight
Mr Putin is so powerful that whoever he anoints is highly likely to win the election.Mr Putin is so powerful that whoever he anoints is highly likely to win the election.
Moving Mr Ivanov from defence should help his presidential ambitions... given the many problems facing the Russian armyMoving Mr Ivanov from defence should help his presidential ambitions... given the many problems facing the Russian army
Earlier this month he told journalists he would not make a public statement until campaigning officially begins in December.Earlier this month he told journalists he would not make a public statement until campaigning officially begins in December.
By promoting Mr Ivanov from the defence ministry, Mr Putin is sending clear signals that he is on an equal footing with the other first deputy prime minister - and leading presidential hopeful - Dmitri Medvedev.By promoting Mr Ivanov from the defence ministry, Mr Putin is sending clear signals that he is on an equal footing with the other first deputy prime minister - and leading presidential hopeful - Dmitri Medvedev.
Mr Ivanov is very close to Mr Putin. They are both from St Petersburg and were both in the KGB.Mr Ivanov is very close to Mr Putin. They are both from St Petersburg and were both in the KGB.
Analysts belief that moving Mr Ivanov from defence should help his presidential ambitions. Analysts believe that moving Mr Ivanov from defence should help his presidential ambitions.
Being defence minister is not a popular position, given the many problems facing the Russian army - in particular, the bullying of conscripts.Being defence minister is not a popular position, given the many problems facing the Russian army - in particular, the bullying of conscripts.
Western sources believe the run-up to the election is being carefully choreographed, putting both Mr Medvedev and Mr Ivanov equally in the media spotlight.Western sources believe the run-up to the election is being carefully choreographed, putting both Mr Medvedev and Mr Ivanov equally in the media spotlight.