Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed on Friday the reconfirmation of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, a technocrat who helped him overcome the war in Ukraine and the economic challenges generated by Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Moscow, writes Reuters, according to Agerpres.
“President Vladimir Vladimirovici Putin submitted to the State Duma a proposal regarding the candidacy of Mihail Vladimirovici Mişutin for the post of President of the Government”, announced the President of the Duma, Viaceslav Volodin, on the Telegram messaging application. “Today (Friday – no), the deputies will make a responsible decision on behalf of their voters in this matter,” declared Volodin.
The State Duma’s approval of the low-key Mişutin is almost certain, as there is practically no opposition in the parliament, which has supported Putin in all his decisions, including the 2022 invasion.
As required by law, the government resigned just before Vladimir Putin, Russia’s supreme leader for nearly a quarter of a century, was sworn in on Tuesday for a new six-year term after being re-elected in March with a crushing score.
According to Reuters, there is no indication that Putin is planning a major reshuffle of the government, which includes veteran Sergei Shoigu, in charge of Russia’s defense since 2012, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who has led Russian diplomacy for two decades.
Keeping the government intact would send a message of stability and Putin’s satisfaction with his team’s successes at home and abroad, analysts say.
THE TECHNOCRAT KEEPING THE ECONOMY Afloat
Mishustin, a career bureaucrat, was said to have no political ambitions before Putin named him prime minister in 2020. With no experience in the security services, he is not part of the so-called siloviki (strongmen) faction of veterans of intelligence services close to Putin.
However, despite keeping a low profile, Mishustin is credited with keeping Russia’s economy afloat after Kiev’s allies hit the country with sanctions that have greatly complicated financing for Russian companies and reduced markets for the vast natural resources of the country.
Before becoming prime minister, Misustin ran the federal tax service for a decade, where he was credited with more than doubling revenues.
In October, as Russia faces increasing sanctions, Mishustin said Moscow would simplify procedures for citizens and companies from 25 “friendly” countries – including China, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Belarus – to invest in Russia.
In a dangerous moment for Putin last June, Mishustin declared that Russia must rally around the president because the failed uprising by Wagner mercenaries fighting in Ukraine represented “a challenge to its stability”.
“For this, the consolidation of the entire society is particularly important. We must act together, as a single team and maintain the unity of all forces, rallying around the president”, declared Misustin.
Mishustin, who will speak in the Duma before the vote, must say how he will solve a series of tasks set by Putin for the government, including “economic and regional development and increasing the country’s defense capacity”, Volodin said.
WHO IS MIHAIL MIŞUSTIN
Mishustin, aged 58 (born March 3, 1966), was appointed by Putin as head of government in January 2020, replacing Dmitry Medvedev. Along with other members of the Russian elite, Mishustin is targeted by Western sanctions in connection with the war in Ukraine.
As technocrat-in-chief of the governing apparatus, his tenure in government was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war with Ukraine, which raised vast logistical challenges that Mishustin was tasked with solving.
Misustin was appointed in October 2022 to head a new Coordinating Council to collaborate with regional leaders and industry to better supply the armed forces and improve medical and logistical support. Putin had acknowledged the problems in this area after a chaotic mobilization of 300,000 people, some of whom did not even have basic equipment such as sleeping bags.
He presents himself as a confident communicator, often seen on television answering Putin’s pointed questions about government tasks and deadlines.
In his annual report to parliament in April 2024, Mishustin said his government faced “very complicated” problems but managed to adapt Russia’s economy to Western sanctions and meet the goals set by Putin, which he referred to for 67 or in official extracts.
Misustin could play an important role in a future transition of power. According to the Constitution, the prime minister is first in line to take over as interim president until new elections, if the Kremlin leader resigns, is dismissed or has to retire for health reasons.
