State Duma approves four deputy prime ministers and a transport minister unanimously
In short
The State Duma on 21 October unanimously approved all five candidates Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin proposed for government posts, each receiving 430 votes. They are four deputy prime ministers, including Andrei Nikitin and Anton Siluanov, and Dmitry Yadrov as transport minister.
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The State Duma approved all five candidates proposed for government posts at its plenary session on 21 October. Interfax and Kommersant report that the deputies voted unanimously, with 430 votes in favour of each candidate. The group comprised four deputy prime ministers and a transport minister. [ 5 , 7 ]
Andrei Nikitin, head of the Transport Ministry, was approved as deputy prime minister overseeing the transport sector, according to RIA Novosti. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Rosaviatsia, was approved as transport minister, succeeding Nikitin in that post. Oleg Kozhemyako was approved as deputy prime minister and presidential envoy in the Far Eastern Federal District. Irina Okladnikova was approved as deputy prime minister and head of the government staff, and Anton Siluanov as deputy prime minister and finance minister. [ 2 , 5 , 7 ]
Mishustin submitted the candidacies to the Duma on 19 October, after presenting his proposals to Putin and receiving his support. RIA Novosti cited presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov as saying Putin backed the proposals. According to Interfax, each candidate addressed the deputies and presented a programme before the vote, and representatives of all five factions spoke from the rostrum. [ 2 , 5 , 7 ]
Kommersant reported that on 19 and 20 October the candidates met the Duma factions and relevant committees and received their unconditional support. Only the Communists promised to decide at the plenary session after hearing the candidates. [ 10 ]
RIA Novosti said the document would be sent to Putin and Mishustin. RBC said Putin must now sign a decree on the appointments of the new ministers and deputy prime ministers. [ 2 , 3 ]
Meduza wrote that experts see a strengthening of Siluanov's position, shown both by his new post and by the appointment of his first deputy at the Finance Ministry, Okladnikova. It added that Dmitry Grigorenko, whom Okladnikova will replace, is considered one of the officials closest to Mishustin. [ 9 ]
Why it matters
The vote completes the Duma stage of a reshuffle that Mishustin announced and Vladimir Putin backed. RBC says Putin must still sign a decree on the appointments, and Meduza cites experts who see Siluanov's position as strengthened.
Key facts
- The State Duma approved all five candidates for government posts on 21 October, each with 430 votes in favour. [ 5 , 7 ]
- Andrei Nikitin, head of the Transport Ministry, was approved as deputy prime minister overseeing the transport sector. [ 2 ]
- Dmitry Yadrov, head of Rosaviatsia, was approved as transport minister and replaces Nikitin in that post. [ 2 , 5 , 7 ]
- Oleg Kozhemyako was approved as deputy prime minister and presidential envoy in the Far Eastern Federal District. [ 5 , 7 ]
- Irina Okladnikova was approved as deputy prime minister and head of the government staff; Anton Siluanov as deputy prime minister and finance minister. [ 5 , 7 ]
- Mishustin submitted the candidacies to the Duma on 19 October after discussing them with Putin. [ 5 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Duma approved all five candidates unanimously, with 430 votes in favour each. [ 2 , 5 , 7 ]
- The candidacies were submitted by Mishustin on 19 October and Putin supported his proposals. [ 2 , 5 , 9 ]
- Nikitin was approved as deputy prime minister and Yadrov as his successor as transport minister. [ 2 , 5 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Putin has signed the decree on the appointments. RBC says Putin now has to sign the decree; the documents do not report that he has done so.
- Whether Siluanov's position is strengthened. This is an assessment attributed by Meduza to unnamed experts; no other document addresses it.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that the Duma approved Nikitin as deputy prime minister. [ 1 ]
- TASS reports that the Duma approved all candidates for government posts. [ 4 ]
- Interfax reports all five candidates approved unanimously with 430 votes. [ 5 ]
- Kommersant reports that all five candidates were approved. [ 7 ]
- Kommersant reports that the candidates met the factions and committees on 19 and 20 October and had their support. [ 10 ]