Interesting news from Russia where Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and his cabinet have all resigned, giving Putin the chance to appoint a new PM and government before presidential elections next year. If the hawkish deputy PM Sergei Ivanov is picked, it will confirm that he is Putin’s chosen successor. Indeed, given the amount of attention Ivanov receives on state TV it would now be a major surprise if he was not the next president of Russia.

Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in