Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a government filled with loyalists on Monday, further solidifying his control over the economy and national security following protests. He limited Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's ability to implement market reforms. Putin, 59, maintained continuity by keeping ally Igor Shuvalov as first deputy prime minister overseeing economic policy, and Igor Sechin as energy chief outside of the government. While he announced some new cabinet appointments, Putin mostly kept familiar faces in key positions, indicating a lack of desire for significant policy changes at the beginning of his six-year presidential term. Putin also strengthened his control over important ministries by appointing Moscow police chief Vladimir Kolokoltsev as interior minister, showing confidence in his ability to handle protests. He maintained consistency in international and military affairs by retaining Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who oversees the defense industry. Putin informed the new cabinet during a Kremlin meeting broadcast live on state television that work will be challenging due to the current state of the world economy, which is filled with numerous uncertainties. The government's efficiency will be tested by how quickly it can carry out a privatization program and decrease the economy's reliance on oil and gas exports. Putin has been confronted with significant protests, sparked by allegations of electoral fraud but fueled by frustration over his prolonged rule. The opposition, representing a growing civil society in Russia, accuses Putin of disregarding their opinions and hindering economic and political reforms in the country. Putin's appointment of Kolokoltsev to the Interior Ministry indicates his resistance to the protesters' demands for increased political options and a decrease in central control over the vast country. Opposition leader Boris Nemtsov told Reuters that there is a man who disrupts peaceful meetings with the use of cudgels, fitting into the ideology of modern Putinism. Despite Medvedev's intention to promote pro-growth policies and privatization, concerns have been raised about factional divisions between the ruling 'tandem' in Russia due to the secretive process of forming a new government. Alfa Bank, based in Moscow, noted that the new cabinet is likely to prioritize budget stability over a pro-market agenda. The new cabinet is seen as an attempt to maintain a balance of power between the president and the prime minister, potentially hindering the implementation of a cohesive economic agenda. The lineup includes some new members who were part of the young market liberal team that worked in the Kremlin during Medvedev's presidency. One of them, Arkady Dvorkovich, has been appointed as one of six deputy premiers with responsibilities in energy and industry policy, areas where he previously had little influence as Medvedev's economic adviser. The energy minister position went to Alexander Novak, a former deputy finance minister, indicating that Sechin would still have control over Russia's oil and gas sector despite leaving the government. Mikhail Abyzov, another former Medvedev aide, was named as coordinator of an "open government" forum, which has so far had little impact. Putin, who relinquished the presidency in 2008 due to constitutional restrictions, has expanded his control over economic policy by appointing individuals who support his belief in state-led development to key positions such as finance and economy ministers. Anton Siluanov, a career bureaucrat, remains as finance minister, while Andrei Belousov, a pro-Putin economist, has been promoted to economy minister. Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, who was removed from his position last year after a power struggle with Medvedev, stated that he does not believe the current government will be able to effectively address the challenges facing Russia. Analysts predicted that the cabinet may not have autonomy, and were closely watching the Kremlin team formed by Putin to understand the direction of policy during his upcoming six-year term. Alexander Morozov, the chief economist at HSBC in Moscow, suggested that decision-making power may shift from the government to the presidential administration. Despite Russia's 4.9 percent economic growth in the first quarter, experts like German Gref from Sberbank warned about the potential negative impact of the country's dependency on oil. The government must create a favorable environment for investment and growth, as Gref's bank is next in line for privatization but the sale of a 7.6 percent stake has been repeatedly postponed due to poor market conditions. Shuvalov, who has supported privatization in the past, recently vetoed a sale due to worsening market conditions. He is seen as a key figure who can mediate between market liberals and those with a background in security services, like Putin. The decision to proceed and the pace at which it happens are contingent upon the price of oil.