Russian president endorses new government configuration

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday endorsed the new government configuration ahead of vote in parliament on the appointment of a new cabinet.

According to a presidential decree published on the Kremlin website, the government will be led by the prime minister, who will be supported by 10 deputies.

Among them, one will hold the position of the first deputy prime minister, while two others will have dual roles -- one combining duties with the presidential representative in Russia's Far Easter Federal District, and the other with the post of the head of the prime minister's administration.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who was re-appointed as the head of the government on Friday, now has to present concrete candidates to the position of his deputies and also for the post of the federal ministers for the parliament's approval.

Mishustin's first cabinet included 20 federal ministers.

In accordance with Russian legislation, the former cabinet resigned immediately after the presidential inauguration on May 7, but will continue to perform duties until the formation of the government.