Правительство, в
русском стиле
Britain is being governed by a duumvirate. Britons may not understand how two-headed government works; but Russians should have no trouble at all. They have long been accustomed to a two-headed form of government. Perhaps at the next UK-Russian summit, the quartet of Cameron, Clegg, Putin and Medvedev can swap tips.
Clegg’s importance to the Conservative-Liberal government will transform the previously honorific role of deputy Prime Minister. He will retain the right to fire Liberal Democrat ministers, if not directly then by threatening to remove their party whip. And, like on the continent, government re-shuffles, sackings and promotions will be negotiated between the Prime Minister and his Deputy. So ministers, Tory and Liberal, will have to do well by both Cameron and Clegg. The Deputy Prime Minister will presumably form the upper layer of decision-making alongside the Prime Minister – the second member in a sort of two-person Upper Cabinet.
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