Paradoxical as it may seem only the Primakov government has the opportunity to obtain the Duma's adoption for the parcel of legal amendments demanded by the IMF.

Is it possible to bypass the Duma and adopt the IMF package by presidential decree? No, it is not. First, according to the Constitution, presidential decrees have the force of law (until a law is adopted) if they fill a legislative gap. Second, fiscal laws cannot be introduced by presidential decrees. Third, no court of law will recognize supremacy of a over a law, even if the Duma is dissolved, much less if the decree serves to worsen things for taxpayers. Another matter is that the IMF may not continue to insist on legal validation of its demands if the government is replaced and the Duma is dissolved. As far as I know, the IMF decided to demand parliamentary adoption for its program precisely because it knows that the Primakov government enjoys majority support in the Duma. This is a trap for the government.

Now Primakov is facing a dilemma: either he should submit the legal package to the Duma and request its adoption as a demonstration of confidence in the government or he has to admit that the government never meant to implement the program."