Former Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Surkov has denied reports that he will rejoin the government as a presidential aide for innovation development, a former United Russia party member said Tuesday.
An earlier report by Izvestia citing an unidentified government official claimed that Surkov, who stepped down in May, had been offered four separate positions since then, one of which was to head a corporation uniting nanotechnology company Rusnano and the Skolkovo innovation center.
But Alexei Chesnakov, who left United Russia in the same month, said he received a text message from Surkov refuting the claims.
"I have never discussed the position of aide on innovation, or envoy to the Southern Caucasus, or minister of the Far East, or head of 'Rusnano-Skolkovo' [and I can't even imagine how it is possible to combine the latter]," Chesnakov wrote on his Twitter blog, quoting Surkov's message.
Surkov was an influential Kremlin adviser, often said to have played a vital role in crafting the ideology of the Putin government.
His resignation triggered widespread speculation. Some observers said he was forced to resign after publicly rejecting President Vladimir Putin's criticism of the Cabinet.
Others pointed to an ongoing conflict with the Investigative Committee over alleged corruption at Skolkovo.
Following a successful career in the private sector, Surkov joined the presidential administration in 1999 and later worked as a presidential aide. In 2011 he was appointed deputy prime minister.
He is known for coining the phrase "sovereign democracy" to describe the modern Russian political system.
The pro-Kremlin youth group Nashi is widely considered to be his concoction.
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.