Vladimir Putin was sworn in for his fifth term in office earlier today, and he is set to kick it off with a significant cabinet reshuffle.
He is now the longest-serving Russian leader since Josef Stalin as he has been in power since 199, with his latest term due to end in 2030.
However, due to constitutional changes made before the war in Ukraine, he could be in power until 2036, which would be his 37th year as Russian President.
Yesterday, Kremlin officials began preparations for the imminent government reshuffle. According to Russian news outlet Meduza, high-ranking politicians discussed who may be at risk of losing their job.
Two weeks prior, Speaker of Russia’s Federation Council Valentina Matvienko warned of personnel changes, but maintained that the “backbone” will remain the same, according to Russian state-run news agency RIA Novosti.
DON’T MISS: Xi Jinping denies China aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine ahead of Putin visit
An anonymous source close to the administation told Meduza: “The mood of many is not just nervous, but tense. Some are hoping [for a promotion], others are worried about being moved. In general, many miss [changes], they want movement.
“Changes in the hierarchy line are inevitable. And this means that you need to be closer to the place where decisions are made.”
As well as fretting over possible demotions, some officials are hoping to secure more high-ranking positions under Putin, who is now 71 and may not get another term.
Other Russian media outlets have also begun speculating on who may be affected by the reshuffle, for instance Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu or Foerign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Shoigu in particular has garnered attention from experts who argue his changes of maintaining his position are slowly slipping away.
DON’T MISS:
Former Kremlin speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov argued last month that Shoigu’s job could be on the line after the arrest of his deputy Timur Ivanov on corruption charges.
Russian TV channel RTVI also discussed Lavrov’s job security, citing two sources in Russian parliament.
It reported: “The leadership of the two factions of the State Duma believe that it is possible that Lavrov will work in the Foreign Ministry for another year or a year and a half, and leave his post after the US presidential elections, since until this moment a change in the head of the foreign policy department is regarded as undesirable for political and opportunistic reasons.”
