President Vladimir Putin recently announced a series of regional government reshuffles, appointing five new acting regional governors to replace those who were promoted to federal office. In the Tula region, Dmitry Milyayev, former governor Alexei Dyumin’s deputy, was named as the acting regional head. Dyumin was appointed as an aide to advise on defense industry and sports issues. In the Kemerovo region, Ilya Seredyuk, deputy to former governor Sergei Tsivilyov, was appointed as the new acting regional head. Tsivilyov was appointed as Russia’s new energy minister. In the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, deputy to former governor Roman Starovoit, was named as the new acting regional head. Starovoit was appointed as Russia’s new transportation minister.
In the Kaliningrad exclave, Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Alexei Besprozvannykh replaced former governor Anton Alikhanov. Alikhanov was appointed as Russia’s new industry and trade minister. In the Khabarovsk region, Dmitry Demeshin, a former deputy general prosecutor for the Russian Far East, replaced former governor Mikhail Degtyaryov. Degtyaryov was appointed as Russia’s new sports minister. The new acting governors will remain in office until they are either replaced or voted in during the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Russia.
Dmitry Milyayev, a long-time public servant in the Tula region who previously served as the mayor of Tula, will take over as the acting regional head. Ilya Seredyuk, who served as the mayor of Kemerovo, will lead the Kemerovo region in the absence of former governor Sergei Tsivilyov. Meanwhile, Alexei Smirnov, who has a background in public service in the Kursk region, returns as the acting regional head after former governor Roman Starovoit was appointed as Russia’s transportation minister. In Kaliningrad, Alexei Besprozvannykh, who previously worked in the Industry and Trade Ministry, replaced former governor Anton Alikhanov. Dmitry Demeshin, who has a history of serving in prosecutors’ offices in various regions, will now govern the Khabarovsk region following the departure of Mikhail Degtyaryov.
The new acting governors will face various challenges in their respective regions, including security concerns in the Kursk region due to frequent drone attacks and border incursions. The appointment of these new governors comes amidst wider government reshuffles that have seen several regional leaders promoted to federal office. Former governors have taken on new roles in the federal government, such as energy minister and transportation minister. These changes reflect a larger restructuring within the Russian government as President Putin seeks to ensure effective governance and address key issues in the regions.
The background and experience of the new acting governors vary, with some having extensive experience in public service in their respective regions, while others have worked in federal government ministries. For example, Alexei Besprozvannykh, who replaced the former governor of Kaliningrad, has a background in the mobile phone industry and has also worked in the Industry and Trade Ministry. Dmitry Demeshin, who will now govern the Khabarovsk region, has a history of serving in prosecutors’ offices in different regions before moving into federal office. These diverse backgrounds will bring different perspectives and skills to their new roles as acting regional governors.
The departure of former governors and the appointment of new acting governors will likely impact governance and policy priorities in the regions. Each new governor will have their own leadership style and approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing their region. The upcoming gubernatorial elections in Russia will provide an opportunity for the public to have a say in who will lead their region. Overall, the government reshuffle and the appointment of new acting governors signal a period of change and transition in Russia’s regional governance structure, as President Putin looks to strengthen governance and address key issues in the regions.
