Medvedev’s future in doubt

THE position of Dmitry Medvedev in Russia’s power circle could be under threat, after Vladimir Putin indicated government changes would be made once he becomes president again next year.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th Dec 2011, 00:00 BST

Mr Medvedev is currently president, and was supposed to switch to prime minister in a deal between the two.

Yet the diminutive St Petersburg lawyer’s position could now be in danger – he ran United Russia’s election campaign, winning less than 50 per cent of the vote.

Such was the embarrassment with the result that Mr Medvedev evoked only nervous laughs at campaign HQ on Sunday night when he quipped in front of Mr Putin that at least it was clear United Russia would get into parliament.