Prime Minister of Russia
On the 19th of October 1905, Emperor Nicholas II signed a decree that created the Council of Ministers. This document transformed the head of government from an emperor into a distinct role known as Chairman of the Council of Ministers. Count Sergei Witte became the first person to hold this new title. Before this date, ministers reported directly to the Tsar without a unified cabinet structure. The position existed for twelve years until the February Revolution of March 1917 ended the imperial system. Pyotr Stolypin served between 1906 and 1911 and gained a reputation for implementing major reforms despite political controversy. Some chairmen were described by contemporaries as barely alive or miserable due to their advanced age. Duke Pavel Gagarin died in office at the age of eighty-three years.
Vladimir Lenin chaired the Council of People's Commissars from 1917 to 1924 during the reign of the RSFSR. In 1946, the Supreme Council renamed the post to Chairman of the Council of Ministers. This change marked a shift in terminology while maintaining the de facto leadership role under Communist Party rule. The position remained unlimited in term length throughout Soviet history until the General Secretary dismissed the chairman. Georgy Lvov and Alexander Kerensky held the title Minister-Chairman of the Russian Provisional Government for about six months after the fall of Nicholas II. Their tenure ended with the October Revolution and the establishment of the Soviet government structure.
The current form of the office was established on the 12th of December 1993 following the introduction of a new constitution. Boris Yeltsin served as Head of Government from the 16th of May 1992 until he became President later that year. Viktor Chernomyrdin took office on the 14th of December 1992 after the Supreme Soviet refused to approve Yegor Gaidar. The president appoints the prime minister with the consent of the State Duma. The president may chair cabinet meetings and give obligatory orders to the prime minister. The use of the term prime minister is strictly informal and never appears in the Russian constitution itself.
Mikhail Mishustin received confirmation votes on the 16th of January 2020 with 383 yes votes out of 449 total deputies. The State Duma must discuss presidential nominations within two weeks before making a decision. If three consecutive rejections occur, the president can dissolve the parliament and call for new elections. A table of confirmations shows Sergey Kirienko failed approval twice in April 1998 before succeeding on his third attempt. Yevgeny Primakov won support on the 11th of September 1998 with 317 yes votes against 63 no votes. Vladimir Putin secured 233 yes votes on the 16th of August 1999 during his first appointment as prime minister.
The Federal constitutional law On the Government of the Russian Federation states that deputy chairmen perform duties during temporary absence without requiring an executive order from the president. When the entire government resigns, the president has up to two months to select a new candidate for submission to the State Duma. In case of presidential death or resignation, the prime minister becomes acting president until new elections take place within three months. Acting presidents cannot dissolve the State Duma or propose amendments to the Constitution. The term of office for the prime minister increased to six years after constitutional amendments passed in 2012.
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Common questions
Who was the first Chairman of the Council of Ministers created on the 19th of October 1905?
Count Sergei Witte became the first person to hold this new title when Emperor Nicholas II signed a decree creating the Council of ministers. This document transformed the head of government from an emperor into a distinct role known as Chairman of the Council of Ministers.
When did Vladimir Lenin chair the Council of People's Commissars during the reign of the RSFSR?
Vladimir Lenin chaired the Council of People's Commissars from 1917 to 1924 during the reign of the RSFSR. The position existed for twelve years until the February Revolution of March 1917 ended the imperial system before this period began.
What is the current form of the office established on the 12th of December 1993 following the introduction of a new constitution?
The current form of the office was established on the 12th of December 1993 following the introduction of a new constitution. Boris Yeltsin served as Head of Government from the 16th of May 1992 until he became President later that year and Viktor Chernomyrdin took office on the 14th of December 1992 after the Supreme Soviet refused to approve Yegor Gaidar.
How many yes votes did Mikhail Mishustin receive when confirmation votes occurred on the 16th of January 2020?
Mikhail Mishustin received 383 yes votes out of 449 total deputies when confirmation votes occurred on the 16th of January 2020. The State Duma must discuss presidential nominations within two weeks before making a decision regarding these appointments.
When does the term of office for the prime minister increase to six years after constitutional amendments passed in 2012?
The term of office for the prime minister increased to six years after constitutional amendments passed in 2012. Acting presidents cannot dissolve the State Duma or propose amendments to the Constitution during this period.