Shoygu, Sergey Kuzhugetovich

(1955– )

   Politician. An ethnic Tuvan, Sergey Shoygu rose through the ranks of Boris Yeltsin’s government, ultimately heading up the Ministry for Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), which handles the aftermath of terrorism, earthquakes, and other national disasters. In 1999, he emerged as one of the leaders of the newly formed Unity party, a vehicle for ensuring Vladimir Putin’s election as Russian president in 2000. When Unity merged with Fatherland—All Russia in 2001, Shoygu retained a leadership position in the new United Russia hierarchy. A competent manager and well liked by the Russian citizenry, Shoygu retained his post as head of EMERCOM throughout the Putin years. In 2009, he visited South Ossetia to assist the recently recognized state with reconstruction efforts in the wake of the 2008 South Ossetian War.

   See also Political parties.