Mikhail Mishustin (left) was appointed as Russia’s prime minister in 2020 (Picture: EPA)
In the corridors of power in the Kremlin, the spotlight has shifted to Mikhail Mishustin.
Vladimir Putin has asked the lower house of Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, to approve his reappointment as the country’s prime minister for a second term.
His rise within the government’s inner circle has ignited speculation amid the low-profile that the politician keeps.
Not much has been written about Mishustin’s career, but a question arises: is he the chosen successor to Putin’s legacy?
What we know about Mikhail Mishustin
The 58-year-old is almost unheard of outside of his country, despite the position he holds.
He has held the job as Russia’s PM for the past four years after being appointed in 2020, replacing his predecessor Dmitri Medvedev.
Mishustin attends the military parade on Victory Day (Picture: Reuters)
It marked the first time in Russia’s history that a PM was confirmed without votesbeing cast against them.
Before that, he was the head of the Federal Tax Service (FTS), earning a reputation as a skilled technocrat.
There, Mishustin was credited with more than doubling revenues during his 10 years in charge.
Unlike much of the elite in Moscow, he does not have background in the security services and is not part of the so-called siloviki (strongmen) faction of intelligence veterans who are close to Putin.
His premiership was marked by the Covid-19 crisis and then Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but he has been credited for keeping the economy afloat despite all the Western sanctions.
On television, Mishustin comes across as a confident communicator, often seen fielding pointed questions from Putin on government tasks and deadlines.
Putin hosts a reception in honour of foreign leaders participating in Victory Day celebrations in central Moscow (Picture: AFP)
Unlike many of his colleagues, he avoids being centre of attention and making grand statements about Russian supremacy over the West and the war.
Putin’s heir
Mishustin could play an important role in a future power transition in the Kremlin.
Under the constitution, the PM is first in line to take over as acting president until new elections if the leader resigns, is removed from office or has to step aside for health reasons.
But he has kept a low profile, steering clear of political statements and avoiding media interviews. And it is perhaps one of the reasons he is kept in power by the president.
His reappointment is seen as widely expected as Putin values his skills and lack of political ambition.
Mishustin has often rallied behind the despot At a perilous moment for Putin in June last year, he called on the nation to support him amid an abortive mutiny by mercenaries fighting in Ukraine.
He said at the time: ‘For this, the consolidation of the whole of society is especially important.
‘We need to act together, as one team, and maintain the unity of all forces rallying around the president.’
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