Nikolay Merkushkin

In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Ivanovich and the family name is Merkushkin.

Nikolay Merkushkin
Николай Меркушкин Кола Меркушкин
Merkushkin in 2014
3rd Governor of Samara Oblast
In office 10 May 2012 – 25 September 2017
Preceded by	Vladimir Artyakov
Succeeded by	Dmitry Azarov
1st Head of the Republic of Mordovia
In office 22 September 1995 – 10 May 2012
Preceded by	Vasily Guslyannikov (president, 1991–93)
Succeeded by	Vladimir Volkov
Personal details
Born	(1951-02-05) 5 February 1951 Novye Verkhissy, Insarsky District, Mordovian ASSR, RSFSR, Soviet Union
Nationality	Mordvin
Political party	United Russia
Spouse	Taisiya Merkushina
Alma mater	Mordovian State University
Profession	Politician

Nikolay Ivanovich Merkushkin (Russian: Николай Иванович Меркушкин; Moksha: Кола Меркушкин; born 5 February 1951) is a Russian politician who served as Governor of Samara Oblast from 2012 to 2017 and as Head of the Republic of Mordovia from 1995 to 2012. From 24 January to 22 September 1995, he served as Chairman of the State Assembly of Mordovia.

Career

Merkushkin was an electrical engineer before entering politics. He was reelected president of Mordovia in 1998 and 2003 with 80% of the vote. He has maintained popularity by having a relatively stable economy in the republic and paying salaries and pensions on time. He has prevented opponents from running against him by disqualifying candidates which seem to have more than 3% invalid signatures. Merkushkin is married to Taisiya Merkushkina, an ethnic Erzyan and has two sons.

On 10 May 2012 Merkushkin resigned to become Acting Governor of Samara Oblast. He was replaced by his PM Vladimir Volkov.

On 25 September 2017 he was removed from the position of Governor of the Samara Region.

Honours and awards

• Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 3rd class
• Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 4th class
• Order of Alexander Nevsky
• Order of the Red Banner of Labour
• Order of Friendship of Peoples
• Medal "For Labour Valour"
• Medal "For Transforming the Non-Black Earth of the RSFSR"

External links

• Глава Республики Мордовия Н.И.Меркушкин награжден орденом "За заслуги перед Отечеством" III степени (in Russian)
• Глава Республики Мордовия Николай Иванович Меркушкин (in Russian)
• Official website of the Republic of Mordovia (in Russian)