SHOYGU, SERGEY KUZHUGETOVICH

(1955– )

Politician. An ethnicTuvan, Sergey Shoygu rose through the ranks ofBorisYeltsin’s government, ultimately heading up the Ministry for Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), which handles the aftermath ofterrorism, earthquakes, and other national disasters. In 1999, he emerged as one of the leaders of the newly formedUnityparty, a vehicle for ensuringVladimirPutin’s election as Russian president in 2000. When Unity merged withFatherland—All Russiain 2001, Shoygu retained a leadership position in the newUnited Russiahierarchy. 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 visitedSouth Ossetiato assist the recently recognized state with reconstruction efforts in the wake of the 2008South Ossetian War.

See alsoPolitical parties.