Russian governance reforms sustain old political ways

Significance

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has the backing he needs to deliver his efficiency programme, which still involves top-down government in which recipients have little say.

Impacts

• The prime minister formally ranks second in the hierarchy, but Mishustin is not so far viewed as a potential successor to Putin.
• Macroeconomic policy management is assigned to specific officials and is not so much Mishustin's mandate.
• Mishustin will be judged on the government's handling of the pandemic and may be held accountable if the Kremlin needs a scapegoat.