RUSSIA/FILE: President Vladimir Putin names former deputy chief of staff Vladislav Surkov as an aide

Record ID: 861978

  • Title: RUSSIA/FILE: President Vladimir Putin names former deputy chief of staff Vladislav Surkov as an aide
  • Date: 20th September 2013
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (FILE - MAY 8, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF KREMLIN
  • Embargoed: 5th October 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Russian Federation
  • City:
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: General,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8L0GWXI70ASXTEPS7TM2NCO5F
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  • Story Text: President Vladimir Putin named former deputy chief of staff Vladislav Surkov as an aide on Friday (September 20), bringing the creator of Russia's tightly controlled political system back to the Kremlin four months after he quit the government in a power struggle.
    Surkov's return is likely to be seen as an effort by Putin to strengthen the liberal camp in his inner circle, balancing out hawks who have seemed dominant since the former KGB spy began a third presidential term last year.
    Surkov once wielded great influence behind the scenes, helping build a system known as "sovereign democracy" and concentrating power in Putin's hands during his initial 2000-2008 presidency.
    But the sway of Putin's former "grey cardinal" may not be so strong this time around.
    Putin's decree did not specify Surkov's responsibilities, but his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told Ekho Moskvy radio he would advise the president on aid to the Moscow-backed breakaway Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
    Surkov, who turns 49 on Saturday, left the Kremlin in late 2011 after street protests attacked the system he helped create.
    He came back as a deputy prime minister overseeing innovation projects when Putin returned to he presidency in May 2012, but quit a year later after a dispute with investigators looking into suspected embezzlement at a high-tech hub.
    Putin signed a decree appointing Surkov as an aide, effective immediately, according to a Kremlin statement. It gave no details, and Surkov could not immediately be reached for comment.
    Putin likes to maintain a balance of forces around him and often rotates people he trusts. He has a limited pool to pick from, and senior officials who quit or are dismissed rarely go into open opposition to the Kremlin.
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