Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin denied a news agency report that he had been offered the post of head of a proposed financial super-regulator.
The government is considering a merger of the Federal Service for Financial Markets and the Central Bank to concentrate the regulation of financial markets and banks in one institution.
On Monday, RIA-Novosti reported that Kudrin had been offered the job, citing the former minister himself.
"The information that appeared in the media yesterday … is wrong. I did not get such an offer," Kudrin said on his Twitter account, @Aleksei_Kudrin.
Other Russian media reports in recent weeks had said the government may tap Kudrin for the new position.
Kudrin resigned in 2011 after Vladimir Putin announced he would seek a third term as president and swap roles with Dmitry Medvedev, who became prime minister.
He remains influential, supporting opposition protests demanding free and fair elections.
Kudrin has said he would not serve under Medvedev and has criticized the government for failing to pass reforms that would encourage investment in modernization and diversification of the economy.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
