Mikhail Mishustin reappointed Russia’s prime minister

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Russian parliament on Friday voted for the reappointment of Mikhail Mishustin as the country’s prime minister, hours after the announcement that President Vladimir Putin proposed him as the candidate to form a new government.

This came after Putin was reelected the country’s president for a fifth term in presidential elections held in March.

At a plenary session in the Russian capital Moscow, 432 lawmakers participated in deliberations on Mishustin’s candidacy, after which 375 lawmakers gave support for his reappointment during voting procedures.

According to local media, Mishustin, who took office back in January 2020, is widely seen as a successful head of government based on the country's growing economy despite the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent economic sanctions by the West.

According to constitutional amendments in 2020, the country’s president proposes a candidate to form the Cabinet to the State Duma for approval.

While parliament has the power to accept or reject the candidate, if lawmakers reject the candidate three times, the president has the authority to appoint the prime minister without parliamentary approval.