What We Know About Mikhail Mishustin, Russia’s New Prime Minister

16 January 2020 19:04

Newly elected Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin before voting for his candidacy in the State Duma, Moscow, Russia, January 16, 2020Photo: EPA-EFE / YURI KOCHETKOV

Russian State Duma deputies at the plenary session approved the candidacy of the head of the Federal Tax Service, Mikhail Mishustin, for the post of Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. 383 MPs voted in favor, 41 abstained, and none opposed.

At the State Duma meeting, Mishustin stated that he was "against canceling the credit debts of the Russians." In his view, this will lead to the bankruptcy of banks.

He also promised that the government would take action on Putin's decrees in May 2019. In particular, to increase the salaries of state employees. He also believes that "the lost trust between government and business must be restored."

Here's what we know about Mishustin.

53-year-old Mishustin was born in Moscow. Hegraduated from the Moscow State Technological University andholds a Ph.D. in Economics.

Since April 2010 and until his appointment as prime minister, Mishustinwas the head of Russia'sFederal Tax Service. Prior to that, he was president of the UFG group, one of Russia's largest companies in asset management, direct investment, and unit trusts.

According to Novaya Gazeta,Mishustin enteredcivil service in 1998–at that time he was an assistant to the head of the State Tax Service in the field of information systems for accounting and control over tax payments.

He also served as Deputy Minister for Taxes and Dues, Head of Federal Real Estate Cadastre Agencyand the Federal Agency for the Management of Special Economic Zones.

On January 15, the Russian government, headed by Dmitry Medvedev, resigned. It came after Putin proposed to amend the Russian Constitution, which redistributes powers between the president, the government, and the parliament. Later Putin nominated Mikhail Mishustin for the post of prime minister.