State Duma approves Chernyshenko as Russian deputy PM

MOSCOW. May 13 (Interfax) - The State Duma voted 432-0 with no abstentions on Monday to approve Dmitry Chernyshenko as Russian deputy prime minister.

"All candidacies submitted by the prime minister are well known to us. Together with them, we got through the difficult time of challenges that our country encountered," State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said.

Chernyshenko's strategic areas are science, higher education institutions, and education, Volodin said.

"These are the most fundamental matters. That is why, in realizing this, we should help you, should feel this joint responsibility, but also call things by their true names," he said.

"We are listening to you and support you today, because the proposed candidacies are indeed professional, competent, experienced, but no one says over what period of time the shortage of doctors will be bridged. And we understand that not only are you a key interlocutor for us here, but also a partner in solving this issue," Volodin said.

During the State Duma's debate on his candidacy, Chernyshenko also answered MPs' questions and presented his program.

Chairman of the chamber's Science and Higher Education Committee Sergei Kabyshev, in turn, said that the points of the candidate's program match the goals and objectives set by the president for the government and the Science and Higher Education Ministry.

Chernyshenko has coordinated the work of the Science and Higher Education Ministry, the Sports Ministry and the Economic Development Ministry's tourism programs. Following this appointment, Chernyshenko will also oversee the Education Ministry and the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs. He will also remain in charge of the media, the periodical press and publishing, and will coordinate academic support for national technological leadership projects, the prime minister's press secretary Boris Belyakov said earlier.