Nikolay Merkushkin
Encyclopedia
Nikolay Ivanovich Merkushkin (born February 5, 1951 in Novye Verkhissy, Mordovia
Mordovia
The Republic of Mordovia , also known as Mordvinia, is a federal subject of Russia . Its capital is the city of Saransk. Population: -Geography:The republic is located in the eastern part of the East European Plain of Russia...

) is the head of the Republic of Mordovia
Mordovia
The Republic of Mordovia , also known as Mordvinia, is a federal subject of Russia . Its capital is the city of Saransk. Population: -Geography:The republic is located in the eastern part of the East European Plain of Russia...

 in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

. He has held that office since September 22, 1995. January 24–September 22, 1995 he was Chairman of the State Assembly of Mordovia
State Assembly of Mordovia
The State Assembly of Mordovia is the unicameral legislature of the Russian republic of Mordovia. It succeeded the Supreme Council in 1995.Its members elect the Head of the Republic of Mordovia for a period of five years....

.

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 Merkushinka, an ethnic Erzyan and has two sons.
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