Russia announces major government reshuffle and new finance post

President Vladimir Putin has approved five significant personnel changes within the Russian government, which Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has submitted to the State Duma for final approval. The restructuring includes the creation of a new deputy prime minister position specifically for the finance sector, with current Finance Minister Anton Siluanov proposed for the role.

Other key appointments include Irina Okladnikova, currently the first deputy finance minister, who is nominated to replace Dmitry Grigorenko as head of the Government Apparatus and as a deputy prime minister. Andrey Nikitin, the Minister of Transport, has been proposed as a deputy prime minister overseeing the transport sector, while Dmitry Yadrov, head of Rosaviatsiya, is nominated to succeed him as Minister of Transport.

Additionally, Oleg Kozhemyako, the Governor of Primorsky Krai, is proposed to become a deputy prime minister and the presidential plenipotentiary representative in the Far Eastern Federal District. These changes come amid rising budget deficits and economic pressures. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the reshuffle as normal, noting the critical importance of the Ministry of Finance.