Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as new Russian premier
16:38, 16/01/2020, ThursdayU: Update: 16:40, 16/01/2020, Thursday
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Mikhail Mishustin, who was earlier nominated by Russian President Vladimir Putin as the candidate for the post of Prime Minister, looks on before a meeting with members of the Just Russia party at the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, in Moscow, Russia January 16, 2020.
Parliament votes 423/382 with 40 abstentions in favor of Mishustin
Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, chose Mikhail Mishustin as the prime minister at a parliamentary vote on Thursday.
The lawmakers voted 423/383 with 40 abstentions in favor of Mishustin.
The Russian government resigned Wednesday after President Vladimir Putin proposed constitutional changes.
Putin offered Mishustin, the former head of Russia's tax service, the position at a meeting.
The president is eyeing limitations on future heads of state, including downgrading the maximum number of terms to two and imposing the condition of permanent residency in Russia for at least 25 years.
He is also suggesting to prohibit foreign citizenship and residence permits for senior Russian officials and to give the parliament the right of appointing prime ministers and the Cabinet.