May 23rd 2012, 18:18 by J.Y. | MOSCOW
SINCE last September we have known that, come inauguration day in May 2012, Vladimir Putin would return to Russia's presidency, swapping jobs with Dmitry Medvedev, who would take up where Mr Putin left off as prime minister.
Yet despite the months of preparation, the process of forming a new cabinet—named on Monday—was mired in confusion and delay. This was thanks partly to Mr Putin's lack of an overarching strategy for his new term. With preservation of stability his main concern, his campaign promises, now signed as presidential decrees, focused on spending pledges. Economic reality, however, may soon require harsher decisions.
There are also questions about Mr Medvedev's position.
Continue reading "Putin's gang" »