Everything we know about Russia's new PM Mikhail Mishustin, the hockey-playing former tax official who is a key part of Putin's plan to tighten his grip on power

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Everything we know about Russia's new PM Mikhail Mishustin, the hockey-playing former tax official who is a key part of Putin's plan to tighten his grip on power
Mishustin, everything we know

Reuters

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Mikhail Mishustin (left), and with Russian president Vladimir Putin (right).

Former tax official Mikhail Mishustin was announced as Russia's next prime minister on Wednesday.

The announcement was made amid a proposal for sweeping constitutional changes from Russia's president Vladimir Putin - a move thought to be a push from Putin to increase his own political power.

Mishustin received 383 votes out of 424 in Russia's parliament, with 41 abstentions and no votes against him, according to Reuters.

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53-year-old Mishustin has a reputation for being an efficient technocrat, but is not very well known among the public in Russia, according to Foreign Policy.

Here is everything we know about him so far:

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Born in 1966, Mishustin studied systems engineering and holds two PhDs in economics. He is married with three sons.

Born in 1966, Mishustin studied systems engineering and holds two PhDs in economics. He is married with three sons.

Source: CNN, Foreign Policy

He previously held the position of tax minister for five years until 2004. Most recently he was the head of the Federal Tax Service from 2010 until being made prime minister.

He previously held the position of tax minister for five years until 2004. Most recently he was the head of the Federal Tax Service from 2010 until being made prime minister.

Source: Bloomberg

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In his most recent role he earned himself a reputation for being very skilled and efficient at his work. Mishustin worked to modernize Russia's previously corrupt and inefficient tax collection system.

In his most recent role he earned himself a reputation for being very skilled and efficient at his work. Mishustin worked to modernize Russia's previously corrupt and inefficient tax collection system.

Source: The Guardian, Foreign Policy

Mishustin reportedly also has a creative side. He is a pianist and songwriter, and has composed a song for famous Russian singer Grigory Leps.

Mishustin reportedly also has a creative side. He is a pianist and songwriter, and has composed a song for famous Russian singer Grigory Leps.

Source: Guardian

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Despite this praise for his work, some controversy has emerged over Mishustin's extraordinary wealth. The investigative site Proekt found that he had bought a house worth hundreds of millions of Russian rubles while working as a deputy tax minister.

Despite this praise for his work, some controversy has emerged over Mishustin's extraordinary wealth. The investigative site Proekt found that he had bought a house worth hundreds of millions of Russian rubles while working as a deputy tax minister.

Source: The Telegraph, The Guardian

According to Bloomberg, Mishustin developed a relationship with Putin over their shared love for hockey. He is a member of Putin's Night Hockey League and on the board of Russia's Ice Hockey Federation.

According to Bloomberg, Mishustin developed a relationship with Putin over their shared love for hockey. He is a member of Putin's Night Hockey League and on the board of Russia's Ice Hockey Federation.

Source: Bloomberg

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On Wednesday Russia's previous prime minister Dimitri Medvedev resigned hours after proposals for sweeping constitutional reform were made by Putin.

On Wednesday Russia's previous prime minister Dimitri Medvedev resigned hours after proposals for sweeping constitutional reform were made by Putin.

Business Insider's Sinéad Baker reported that Putin proposed changes that would weaken the powers of the presidency for future presidents, as he is expected to vacate the role in 2024, and strengthen the role of the country's parliament, where he might then move to.

Putin described the move as one that would enhance democracy, but experts believe the move was a calculated one that would only help him keep power over a country that he has led, in some form, since 1999.

Source: The Associated Press

Mishustin was put forward as his replacement by Putin and confirmed by the Parliament on Thursday.

Mishustin was put forward as his replacement by Putin and confirmed by the Parliament on Thursday.

Source: Reuters

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After the announcement he told Russia's parliament the country must maintain inflation at 4% and preserve macroeconomic stability.

After the announcement he told Russia's parliament the country must maintain inflation at 4% and preserve macroeconomic stability.

Source: Reuters

Mishustin is due to release details of who will form his cabinet in the coming days.

Mishustin is due to release details of who will form his cabinet in the coming days.
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