Re-elected leader Rustam Minnikhanov has officially taken office as head (Rais) of the Republic of Tatarstan. The inauguration ceremony took place at the Salikh Saydashev State Great Concert Hall in Kazan, following his victory in the September 14 elections, where he received 88.09% of the vote. The Central Election Commission confirmed the results, with more than 2.23 million citizens—75.85% of eligible voters—participating in the elections.
Farid Mukhametshin, Chairman of the State Council of Tatarstan, proclaimed, “I solemnly declare: Rustam Nurgaliyevich Minnikhanov has assumed the office of Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan,” after Minnikhanov completed the oath in the presence of nearly 800 guests.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Marat Khusnullin, Presidential Plenipotentiary to the Volga Federal District Igor Komarov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Alexander Babakov, First Vice Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Daniyar Amangeldiev, and other distinguished guests.
Mukhametshin noted that Minnikhanov received congratulatory messages from the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Abkhazia, and the king and prime minister of Bahrain. Deputy Prime Minister Khusnullin conveyed greetings from Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, highlighting Tatarstan’s significant contributions to Russia’s economy, culture, and social sphere and praising the region’s consistently strong performance across 25 key indicators.
Komarov emphasized Minnikhanov’s professionalism and dedication to improving residents’ quality of life, pointing out that the overwhelming voter support marked the highest result among regional leaders elected in 2025. Tatarstan is characterized by balanced development, combining innovation, effective governance, and historical traditions of multicultural harmony. The region leads in industrial output, agriculture, investments, and technological advancement.
In his speech, Minnikhanov thanked the people of Tatarstan for their trust, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the government for their support, and offered special thanks to Tatarstan’s first president, Mintimer Shaimiev, whom he called his mentor. “Over the past five years, Tatarstan has demonstrated resilience amid the pandemic, sanctions pressure, and shifts in economic ties. Today, our republic serves as a pillar of the nation. We have increased our gross regional product and industrial output, taken the lead in digital transformation, and made major improvements under national and local development programs, including housing, social infrastructure, roads, and public spaces,” Minnikhanov stated.
He added that improving quality of life remains a top priority for the republic’s leadership. “Ahead lies extensive work, including executing the instructions and proposals voiced during the election campaign. Here, I’m counting on representatives of all political parties who participated in the elections,” Minnikhanov said, adding that he will outline Tatarstan’s main development priorities in his upcoming address to the State Council of the republic.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the Rais RT
Based on materials from TASS