Putin proposes continuity: Mishustin nominated to remain Russia's Prime Minister
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin nominated Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin for reappointment. Mishustin, a technocrat, has supported Putin through the challenges of the war in Ukraine and the economic fallout from Western sanctions following Moscow's invasion.
The Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, swiftly approved Mishustin’s nomination.
Mishustin, known for his low-key approach, has not been part of any significant opposition in the Russian parliament. The Communist party, nominally oppositional, abstained from voting against him, highlighting the broad support for Putin's leadership, which has spanned nearly a quarter-century. This endorsement follows Putin's re-election in March, which secured him another six-year term as Russia’s paramount leader.
Analysts believe that maintaining the current government signals stability and indicates Putin’s satisfaction with his cabinet’s performance. This cabinet includes longtime officials like Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, signaling no major reshuffles are planned.
Before his tenure as prime minister, Mishustin led Russia’s federal tax service for ten years, significantly boosting its revenues. Known for his bureaucratic efficiency rather than political ambitions, Mishustin entered the role of prime minister in 2020 without a background in the security services—a contrast to the "siloviki," the faction of intelligence veterans close to Putin.
Despite maintaining a low profile, Mishustin has been pivotal in navigating Russia's economy through the sanctions imposed by Kyiv’s allies, which have severely impacted Russian businesses and limited market access for the country’s natural resources. In response to increasing sanctions, Mishustin announced in October that Russia would simplify investment procedures for citizens and companies from 25 "friendly" countries, including China, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.
During a critical juncture for Putin in June last year, following a brief mutiny by mercenaries in Ukraine, Mishustin called for unity around the president, emphasizing the challenge to Russia’s stability. As the vote approaches, he is expected to address how he plans to tackle significant issues set by Putin, focusing on economic and regional development and boosting the country’s defense capabilities, according to Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the Duma.
