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Putin May Replace Economic Development Minister

Just weeks after the departure of a deputy prime minister, another government reshuffle is looming with the possible replacement of the economic development minister.

President Vladimir Putin may name Alexei Ulyukayev, the Central Bank's first deputy chairman, as the new economic development minister and make the current minister, Andrei Belousov, his top economic adviser in the Kremlin, Kommersant and Reuters reported Friday, citing unidentified sources.

At the Central Bank, Ulyukayev could be replaced by Russia's Group of 20 summit coordinator Ksenia Yudayeva, the reports said.

The post of presidential economic adviser has been vacant since Putin appointed Elvira Nabiullina, a former economic development minister who had served as adviser since last year, to run the Central Bank earlier this year.

It was unclear when Putin might announce the reshuffle.

The Cabinet has been under growing pressure from analysts and lawmakers amid tepid Russian economic growth. Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Surkov, a former Kremlin dark cardinal, resigned earlier this month after Putin scolded the Cabinet for failing to fulfill his orders.

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