The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Moscow

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev plans to replace dozens of regional governors over the next few years in an attempt to increase his influence within officialdom, the Vedomosti newspaper reported on Thursday.

Vedomosti said Medvedev, who took over as president from Vladimir Putin in May, is seeking to get more of his own loyalists appointed to influential posts.

The paper cited unidentified Kremlin officials as saying that Medvedev has been unimpressed by the quality of many governors and wanted a younger generation of officials, preferably with business experience, to take regional postings.

"A mass rotation of regional heads is planned, according to an official in the administration: they want to replace 16 by the end of this year and 10 next year," the paper said.