Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the frontrunner in the presidential race, on Tuesday confirmed there will be a significant renewal of personnel in the government if he wins the election.
Putin also pledged to rein in the much maligned practice of authorizing government officials to use blue roof flashers on their cars, giving them right-of-way over other motorists.
“I have already said and can reiterate, I definitely know it and I have talked about it with President Dmitry Medvedev, he also agrees: we will significantly renew the personnel in the government,” Putin said.
“Those officials who worked properly – they definitely should continue their work at a good level and apply their knowledge and experience,” he added.
Putin first spoke about reshuffle in the government after December parliamentary elections, which saw his United Russia party struggle to win a slim majority. But he also urged caution over personnel policy, saying wholesale dismissals would be wrong. “The personnel backbone should not be destroyed; professionals should not be swept out.”
But Putin said he would avoid undue disruptions in the work of government. “It takes ministers of complicated branches such as agriculture, healthcare or education at least a year and a half to get a handle on the work. There will be nothing good for the branch and for the public if the minister is fired,” Putin said.
Putin also pledged to reduce the number of government cars equipped with blue flashers if he regains the presidency.
“This will be a significant cut. Only several dozen vehicles with blue roof flashers will remain,” he said.
The use of the blue rooftop lights had been a focus for public ire, particularly given the numerous accidents between the official cars and ordinary drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way. Outraged drivers have even created a “Blue Buckets” movement whose activists collect evidence against blue-flasher abusers and file complaints with the appropriate state bodies.
