Nikolay Merkushkin, Mordovian engineer and politician, 1st Head of the Republic of Mordovia
Nikolay Ivanovich Merkushkin (Russian: Николай Иванович Меркушкин, Moksha: Кола Меркушкин) (born February 5, 1951) is a former Governor of Samara Oblast and a former head of the Republic of Mordovia in Russia. He held the latter office from September 22, 1995 to May 10, 2012. From January 24 to September 22, 1995 he was the Chairman of the State Assembly of Mordovia.
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 Merkushkina, an ethnic Erzyan and has two sons.
On 10 May 2012 Merkushkin resigned to become Acting Governor of Samara Oblast. He was replaced by his PM Vladimir Volkov.
On 25 September 2017 he was removed from the position of Governor of the Samara Region.