MOSCOW, March 9 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday retained veteran defense minister Sergei Ivanov, raising speculation Ivanov might be his chosen successor.
Ivanov is a sophisticated but often blunt speaking, tough, reformist figure who has been one of Putin's closest friends since the president's time as a rising officer in the old Soviet KGB espionage and state security organization.
He is the only one of the "big three" of Putin's previous government to retain his post in the new team announced Tuesday. Russian political analysts are now saying that makes him the frontrunner to succeed Putin when his second presidential term ends in 2008.
Former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov was fired and replaced by previously obscure trade diplomat Mikhail Fradkov and former Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov -- no relation to Sergei -- was shunted sideways to head Russia's Security Council.
Putin announced the moves only five days before voters decide whether to give him a second four year term Sunday, He is expected to win by a landslide.
