The Russian government has gathered for its first session under former president Putin, who was appointed prime minister on May 8 by his hand-picked successor, Dmitry Medvedev. Socio-economic and organizational issues are being discussed at the session.
"The government presidium will meet on a weekly basis with the participation of issue-specific ministers," Putin said, adding that the 'regular' Cabinet would meet at least once a month.
The previous Cabinet held weekly meetings on Thursdays over the last few years of its existence to discuss operational issues and aspects of strategic planning.
Under the federal Constitutional law on the Russian government, any inner Cabinet's decisions must be approved by a majority and should not contradict resolutions adopted at government meetings. The government has the right to annul any decision taken by the presidium.
The president is also authorized to chair government and inner Cabinet sessions.
The move is being widely seen as part of an ongoing redistribution of presidential and governmental powers.
