IN SERGEI MIRONOV'S VIEW, NUMBER OF MINISTRIES TO BE CUT BY A THIRD IN A NEW GOVERNMENT

MOSCOW, FEBRUARY 24. /RIA NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT YELENA FEDOROVA/ -- The number of ministries will be cut by a third in the new Russian government, Sergei Mironov, head of the Federation Council (the upper parliamentary chamber), told reporters on Tuesday.

He does not know about the fate of "concrete figures" but believes that continuity in cabinet activity will be maintained. "The continuity will be preserved. There will be no absolutely new enrollment", he is sure.

The head of the Federation Council has called "absolutely pragmatic" the presidential cabinet-dismissal decision.

"Many ministries are idling in expectation of their fate", he said. "Since the presidential inauguration is due in May, in February-May the cabinet will actually be idling".

Mironov also believes that the president's cabinet dismissal is "a courageous and honest step before the electors".

"The president may have fixed the candidature of the future premier and does not think it necessary to hide it from the electors", Sergei Mironov said.