Mikhail who? Putin’s pick for Russia PM is a political nobody

Mikhail Mishustin, the man likely to be Russia’s next prime minister, is a little-known figure to the wider public

Move prompted speculation that Putin could be eyeing a return to the premiership after his current term ends

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Mikhail Mishustin meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow. Photo: EPA

Published: 3:50pm, 16 Jan 2020Updated: 8:41pm, 16 Jan 2020

When Vladimir Putin replaced his long-serving Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev with a low profile technocrat on Wednesday, it shocked some top officials and fuelled speculation that the Russian president was moving to extend his grip on power beyond the end of his term in 2024.

Putin gave little public explanation for the dramatic and unexpected upheaval, which saw Medvedev, one of his most loyal lieutenants, ousted after nearly eight years in office. Medvedev became premier in 2012 after stepping down as president to make way for Putin’s return to the Kremlin.

Replacing him is Mikhail Mishustin who has headed the country’s tax service for a decade – a surprise choice given that he has almost no political profile.

The Kremlin-dominated lower house of parliament, which rarely opposes Putin on important issues, was due to decide whether to approve Mishustin on Thursday.

Vladimir Putin and Dimitry Medvedev have each served as president and prime minister. Photo: EPA

Mishustin, 53, has worked in government roles related to tax collection since the early days of his career.

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