An online petition calling for the dismissal of Russian Prime
Minister Dmitry Medvedev has gathered more than 160,000 signatures in 24 hours.
The petition, addressed to President Vladimir Putin, states
that the cabinet of ministers should be headed by “a competent and educated person, who cares about his country."
The petition on the Change.org website follows a statement by Medvedev about teachers' salaries .
During a youth forum on Thursday, Medvedev was asked why teachers'
salaries are so much lower than those paid to security service employees.
Medvedev said that teachers should change profession
if they want to make money.
“If you want to earn money, there are lots of wonderful places where you
can do it faster and better. Business, for example,” Medvedev said.
Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that the Kremlin is unaware of
the petition.
“No, we do not know about this. I do not think that it requires any kind
of reaction,” Peskov said, according to the RBC news website.
This is not the first time a statement by Medvedev has caused such a stir.
In May, Medvedev told pensioners in Crimea that there was no
money for pension increases.
“When we find the money — we'll do it,” Medvedev said before he wished everyone good health and to "hang on in there.”
