Russia’s finance minister Anton Siluanov named deputy PM in Putin’s reshuffle

Russia’s finance minister Anton Siluanov will also serve as a deputy prime minister following a cabinet reshuffle approved by President Vladimir Putin on Monday, news agency Reuters reported.

Vladimir Putin approved major changes to the country’s top government positions weeks after the ruling United Russia party secured its largest-ever majority in parliamentary elections. The reshuffle affects nearly half of PM Mikhail Mishustin’s deputy prime ministers.

One of the key changes is the removal of Dmitry Grigorenko as chief of government staff. According to The Moscow Times, Rustamova said the move was unexpected, given Grigorenko’s close working relationship with Mishustin and his important role in the government.

Siluanov, who has served as finance minister since 2011, will continue in that role while taking on additional responsibilities as deputy prime minister. He previously held both positions from 2018 to 2020 under former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Transportation minister Andrei Nikitin will also become a deputy prime minister, overseeing the development of Russia’s transportation sector, among other responsibilities. The post became vacant after Vitaly Savelyev resigned following his election to the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, in late September.