State Duma committees back Siluanov and Nikitin for deputy prime minister posts

Russia’s State Duma budget and tax committee backed Anton Siluanov for deputy prime minister while retaining the finance portfolio. The transport committee recommended Andrei Nikitin for a deputy prime minister post.

The committee recommendations precede a plenary consideration of the nominations on Wednesday. Candidates are meeting parliamentary committees on Tuesday.

Siluanov has headed the Finance Ministry since 2011. He previously combined that role with the post of first deputy prime minister from 2018 to 2020.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin submitted the nominations to parliament on Monday after meeting President Vladimir Putin. The proposed reshuffle includes Primorye Governor Oleg Kozhemyako as deputy prime minister and presidential envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, and First Deputy Finance Minister Irina Okladnikova as deputy prime minister and head of the government apparatus.

Nikitin, the current transport minister, has been proposed for promotion to deputy prime minister. Federal Air Transport Agency head Dmitry Yadrov was nominated to replace him as transport minister.