Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin has resigned after a public row with President Dmitry Medvedev.
Mr Kudrin said he would not serve in a new government next year if, as expected, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Mr Medvedev switch roles.
Mr Medvedev ordered him to resign if he continued to disagree over economic policy.
Analysts say Mr Kudrin had hoped to become prime minister himself after December's parliamentary elections.
A Kremlin spokeswoman said President Medvedev had accepted Mr Kudrin's resignation.
Mr Medvedev rebuked Mr Kudrin in person on Monday over comments he made at the weekend in which he said he could not serve under Mr Medvedev if he becomes prime minister because of differences over budgetary policy.
