Oh gads, it's more ignorance in print. First off, it is customary in parlimentary governments in Europe, to fire the administration before the elections and then "rehire" them after wards with changes. Second, Kasyanov was a hold over from Yeltsin and a bought man by the oligarches who opposed all reforms, to include the flat tax. Funny how those little facts don't make it into hit pieces like this, isn't it?
Where exactly was/is this customary? Cite examples, please...