Moscow, Mar 06: Russia's new Prime Minister, Mikhail Fradkov, pledged today to slim down and reshuffle the government and tackle a lumbering bureaucracy that is stifling the nation's economic potential. His pledge to streamline bloated government structures responded to calls for more effective administration by President Vladimir Putin, who nominated him earlier this week and is cruising towards re-election on March 14.

Speaking to the state Duma or lower house, which confirmed him in the top government job, Fradkov said he would form a team more compact than that of outgoing Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, which had 24 ministers and six deputy premiers. Fradkov, plucked from obscurity by Putin, was even more emphatic in later remarks.

Fradkov's remarks set off a frenzy of speculation as to who will stay or go in the new administration, with much attention focusing on the future of liberal finance minister Alexander Kudrin, seen by analysts as a champion of reform.

Bureau Report