View source for Mikhail Kasyanov

{{Short description|Prime Minister of Russia from 2000 to 2004}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Mikhail Kasyanov
| image               = Михаил Касьянов (24-11-2023) (cropped).jpg
| imagesize           = 
| caption             = Kasyanov in 2023
| office              = [[Prime Minister of Russia]]
| president           = Vladimir Putin
| term_start          = 7 May 2000
| term_end            = 24 February 2004<br />(acting until 17 May 2000)
| predecessor         = [[Vladimir Putin]]
| successor           = [[Mikhail Fradkov]]
| office2             = [[First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation|First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia]]
| term_start2         = 10 January 2000
| term_end2           = 17 May 2000
| primeminister2      = Vladimir Putin
| predecessor2        = [[Viktor Khristenko]]
| successor2          = [[Dmitry Medvedev]] (2005)
| office3             = [[Ministry of Finance (Russia)|Minister of Finance]]
| term_start3         = 25 May 1999
| term_end3           = 18 May 2000
| president3          = [[Boris Yeltsin]]<br />Vladimir Putin (acting)
| primeminister3      = [[Sergei Stepashin]]<br />Vladimir Putin<br />''Himself'' (acting)
| predecessor3        = [[Mikhail Zadornov (politician)|Mikhail Zadornov]]
| successor3          = [[Alexei Kudrin]]
| birth_name          = Mikhail Mikhailovich Kasyanov
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|df=y|1957|12|8}}
| birth_place         = [[Solntsevo, Moscow Oblast|Solntsevo]], Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
| occupation          = Politician, businessman
| party               = [[Independent politician|Independent]]<br />(2000–2006)<br />[[People's Democratic Union (Russia)|People's Democratic Union]]<br />(2006–2010)<br />[[People's Freedom Party "For Russia without Lawlessness and Corruption"|People's Freedom Party "For Russia."]]<br />(2010–2012)<br />[[People's Freedom Party (Russia)|People's Freedom Party]]<br />(2012–2023)
| spouse              = Irina Kasyanova
| children            = Natalia<br />Alexandra
| module              = {{Listen|pos= center |embed= yes |filename= Mihail Kas'yanov voice.oga |title= Mikhail Kasyanov's voice |type= speech |description= recorded November 2012}}
| native_name         = {{nobold|Михаил Касьянов}}
| native_name_lang    = ru
}}
{{Liberalism in Russia}}
'''Mikhail Mikhailovich Kasyanov'''{{family name footnote|Mikhailovich|Kasyanov|lang=Eastern Slavic}} ({{lang-rus|Михаи́л Миха́йлович Касья́нов||mʲɪxɐˈil mʲɪˈxajləvʲɪtɕ kɐˈsʲjanəf|links=no}}; born 8 December 1957) is a Russian politician who served as [[Prime Minister of Russia]] from 2000 to 2004. Previously, he had served as [[First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia|First Deputy Prime Minister]] in 2000 and [[Ministry of Finance (Russia)|Minister of Finance]] from 1999 to 2000. During the 1990s, he worked in President [[Boris Yeltsin]]'s administration in different positions before joining President [[Vladimir Putin]]'s first administration. He has the federal state civilian service rank of [[1st class Active State Councillor of the Russian Federation]].<ref>{{cite act|type=Decree|index=306|date=3 March 1999|legislature=[[President of Russia]]|title=О присвоении квалификационных разрядов федеральным государственным служащим Министерства финансов Российской Федерации|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=03.03.1999&a8=306&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=70&y=15}}</ref>

Since leaving the government over disagreements on economic policy in 2004, he has become one of the leading critics of President Putin and an [[Russian opposition|opposition leader]]. In 2008, Kasyanov was a [[2008 Russian presidential election|candidate in the election of President of Russia]] but in the middle of the campaign was denied participation on political grounds. In 2010, he co-founded the coalition [[People's Freedom Party "For Russia without Lawlessness and Corruption"]] and became one of the leaders of the [[People's Freedom Party (Russia)|People's Freedom Party]]. 

He was an active speaker during the [[2011–2013 Russian protests]] for fair elections. Since 2015, he has served as the leader of the political party [[People's Freedom Party (Russia)|People's Freedom Party]] (PARNAS). From 2005 to 2007, he was one of the leaders of the opposition coalition [[The Other Russia (coalition)|The Other Russia]] and democratic protest movement.

==Early life==
Kasyanov was born on 8 December 1957 in the settlement of [[Solntsevo District|Solntsevo]] near Moscow. His father was a teacher of mathematics and the headmaster of a local school. Joining the [[Red Army]], his father participated in some major actions of the [[World War II|Second World War]] and fought until the victory in 1945.<ref name="svoboda"/>

Kasyanov's mother was an economist, a head of a department of a governmental construction company (Glavmosstroy). In his childhood Mikhail studied at a music school and played the cello. In high school he played in a rock group.<ref name="svoboda">Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/rISLlCfIDMQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190220065256/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rISLlCfIDMQ&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Citation|title=Культ Личности. Михаил Касьянов| date=16 April 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rISLlCfIDMQ|language=en|access-date=2021-04-21}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 1974 Kasyanov entered the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction University.<ref>[http://russiaprofile.org/bg_people/resources_whoiswho_alphabet_k_kasyanov.html KASYANOV, Mikhail Mikhailovich] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625122049/http://russiaprofile.org/bg_people/resources_whoiswho_alphabet_k_kasyanov.html |date=25 June 2013 }} ''Russia Profile''</ref> 

In 1976–1978, Kasyanovserved in the [[Soviet Army]] in the [[guard of honour]] at the [[Commandant's Office of the Moscow Kremlin|Office of the Commandant of Moscow]], which is today the [[Kremlin Regiment]] of the [[Federal Protective Service (Russia)|Federal Protective Service]]. From 1978{{ndash}}1981, he became a technician and then an engineer at the scientific institute of the State Committee for Construction of USSR. At the time he was still studying at the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction University. He finished in 1981.<ref>[http://russiaprofile.org/bg_people/resources_whoiswho_alphabet_k_kasyanov.html KASYANOV, Mikhail Mikhailovich] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625122049/http://russiaprofile.org/bg_people/resources_whoiswho_alphabet_k_kasyanov.html |date=25 June 2013 }} ''Russia Profile''</ref>  

For nine years after graduation Kasyanov worked at the [[Gosplan|State Planning Committee]] (GosPlan) as an engineer, economist, leading specialist and chief of sector. In 1987 he was awarded the diploma of the Highest Economy Courses at GosPlan.<ref>[http://russiaprofile.org/bg_people/resources_whoiswho_alphabet_k_kasyanov.html KASYANOV, Mikhail Mikhailovich] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625122049/http://russiaprofile.org/bg_people/resources_whoiswho_alphabet_k_kasyanov.html |date=25 June 2013 }} ''Russia Profile''</ref> 

==Career==
===Ministry of Economy (1990–1993)===
In 1990–1993, Kasyanov was working in the State Committee of Economy of the Russian Federation and then in the [[Ministry of Economic Development (Russia)|Ministry of Economy]]. In 1993 the Minister of Finance [[Boris Fyodorov]] invited Kasyanov to join the Ministry. He was appointed the head of Foreign Loans and External Debt Department.

===Ministry then Minister of Finance (1995–1999)===
In 1995 Kasyanov became the deputy Minister of Finance.

In 1994–1996, Kasyanov was occupied with the restructuring of Soviet externals debts (about $150 bn).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kaig.ru/rf/debtgdp.pdf|title=Внешний и внутренний долг|website=Kaig.ru|access-date=4 June 2022|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304213333/http://www.kaig.ru/rf/debtgdp.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1996 Kasyanov reached an agreement with the [[Paris Club]] and the [[London Club]] of creditors for a comprehensive restructuring of Soviet debts for a period of 25 years with a 7-year grace period. Thanks to this agreement Russia was able to gain access to international capital markets.<ref>{{cite journal |author= Бардин, Вадим |url= http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/126815 |title= Долги России зарубежным кредиторам |journal= [[Коммерсантъ]] |date= 14 February 1996 |volume= 22 |number= 980 |page= 1 |access-date= 10 April 2018 |archive-date= 14 September 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140914092811/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/126815 |url-status= live }}</ref> 

In 1996, Kasyanov gave the [[Financial roadshows|road show]] of Russia's economy development prospects at International finance centers. As a result, Russia, for the first time since 1913 issued securities, [[Eurobond (external bond)|eurobonds]] on the capital markets of Europe and the United States, and Russian banks and companies were able to take cheap foreign capital for investments into the economy of the country.<ref>{{cite journal |author= Ладыгин, Дмитрий |url= https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/242888 |title= Инвестиционный туризм |journal= [[Коммерсантъ]] |date= 12 November 1996 |number= 192 |page= 1 |access-date= 10 April 2018 |archive-date= 10 April 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180410202115/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/242888 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author= Калашникова, Наталья |url= http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/243866 |title= Визит Черномырдина во Францию |journal= [[Коммерсантъ]] |date= 27 November 1996 |number= 203 (1161) |page= 1 |access-date= 10 April 2018 |archive-date= 14 September 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140914092815/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/243866 |url-status= live }}</ref>

The [[1997 Asian financial crisis]] and the [[1998 Russian financial crisis]] led to Russia defaulting on its debts, and the [[ruble]] was dramatically devaluated. Kasyanov was the head of the working team for restructuring Russian government external debts and of the private banks of the country. At the same time he negotiated with Russian creditors for restructuring domestic debts. Kasyanov negotiated with the [[International Monetary Fund]] which granted favorable perspectives for reaching profitable agreements for Russia. As a result of this, the ruble rate was stabilised, which in its own turn helped reduce the inflation and restored production and services parts of Russian economy. These successes proved Kasyanov to be a good negotiator: he was called "the principal financial diplomat of the country".<ref>{{cite journal |author = Смирнов, Константин |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/24385 |title = Витамин роста Михаила Касьянова |journal = [[Коммерсантъ]] |date=17 May 2000 |number = 19 |page = 18 |access-date = 10 April 2018 |archive-date = 11 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211071613/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/24385 |url-status = live }}</ref>

===Minister of Finance (1999–2000)===
In February 1999 he was appointed First Deputy Minister and in May 1999 [[Boris Yeltsin|President Yeltsin]] appointed Kasyanov Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 25.05.1999 г. № 655|url=http://kremlin.ru/acts/bank/13897|access-date=2021-04-21|website=Президент России|language=ru|archive-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721043635/http://kremlin.ru/acts/bank/13897|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 1999, Minister Kasyanov became a member of the [[Security Council of Russia]].<ref name=riaru/>

Kasyanov was occupied with the problem of budget deficit and external debt. His time as Finance Minister saw Russia's first non-deficit budget. In July Russia received the first post-crisis loan from the IMF.<ref name=riaru>{{cite journal |url= https://ria.ru/spravka/20140224/996722123.html |title= Когда и на каких условиях Россия получала кредиты от МВФ |journal= [[РИА Новости]] |date= 24 February 2014 |access-date= 10 April 2018 |archive-date= 7 December 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171207012621/https://ria.ru/spravka/20140224/996722123.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

The government of [[Sergei Stepashin]] worked for three months; however, Kasyanov retained his post in the new government of [[Vladimir Putin]]. He continued the negotiations with international creditors on a global restructuring of the USSR's debts.

The [[Second Chechen War|war in Chechnya]] provoked the suspension of the negotiations with the London club of creditors. Nevertheless, Kasyanov was able to resolve the principal problems of Russian debts in a span of several months. This fact facilitated the transition towards economic growth in Russia.<ref>{{cite journal |author= Головков, Александр |url= http://www.ng.ru/ideas/2000-05-12/8_premiere.html |title= Премьер посткризисного правительства |journal= [[Независимая газета]] |date= 12 May 2000 |access-date= 10 April 2018 |archive-date= 6 December 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171206215223/http://www.ng.ru/ideas/2000-05-12/8_premiere.html |url-status= live }}</ref> As a result of non-deficit [[Federal budget of Russia|budget]] and prudent financial policy in general the multi-month delays in salary payments and pensions were overcome. On 10 January 2000 Kasyanov was appointed the first Vice Premier of the [[Government of Russia|Russian government]]. The situation was such that effectively Kasyanov was in charge of the government, serving as its chairman, as Putin was the Acting President at the time. He was still the head of the Ministry of Finance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://document.kremlin.ru/doc.asp|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120712214928/http://document.kremlin.ru/doc.asp?ID=001544|url-status=dead|title=Президент России|archive-date=2012-07-12|website=Document.kremlin.ru}}</ref>

===Prime Minister (2000–2004)===
[[File:Vladimir Putin with Viktor Yushchenko-3.jpg|thumb|Putin, Kasyanov and Ukrainian Prime Minister [[Viktor Yushchenko]] in Moscow, 2000]]
On 17 May 2000, Russian [[State Duma]] approved Mikhail Kasyanov's Prime Minister candidacy. The Chairman of the [[Government of Russia|Cabinet]] started pursuing the policy of active collaboration with business community and civil society.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.forbes.ru/mneniya-column/vertikal/251269-kabinet-kasyanova-chem-pomogli-rossii-reformy-nakanune-tuchnykh-let|title=Кабинет Касьянова: чем помогли России реформы накануне тучных лет|website=Forbes.ru|date=24 February 2014 |access-date=2017-07-17|archive-date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713191400/http://www.forbes.ru/mneniya-column/vertikal/251269-kabinet-kasyanova-chem-pomogli-rossii-reformy-nakanune-tuchnykh-let|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://businesspress.ru/newspaper/article_mId_40_aId_294712.html|title=Реформы Михаила Касьянова|website=Businesspress.ru|access-date=2017-07-17|archive-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724193514/http://businesspress.ru/newspaper/article_mId_40_aId_294712.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During its four-year term [[Mikhail Kasyanov's Cabinet|Kasyanov's Cabinet]] launched a number of structural reforms – tax and budget reform, liberalization of capital control and external trade, customs reform, reorganization of national infrastructure, pension reform, creation of land market and others. Successful implementation of systemic transformation measures led Russia to a trajectory of sustainable economic growth. Inflation was reduced significantly, the economy and people's income grew by one third while oil prices were at the level of $20–25 per barrel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2015/09/02/65446-chey-kabinet-huzhe|title=Чей кабинет хуже. История российского правительства — от Черномырдина до Медведева|date=1 September 2015|website=Novayagazeta.ru|access-date=5 April 2022|archive-date=5 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405164102/https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2015/09/02/65446-chey-kabinet-huzhe|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Vladimir Putin 12 October 2000-3.jpg|thumb|left|Kasyanov with Vladimir Putin, 2000]]
Experts think that the tax reform of 2000-2002 was one of the most successful reforms of Kasyanov's Cabinet. A flat income tax rate (13%) was introduced. All turnover taxes were eliminated. [[Value-added tax|VAT]] was reduced to 18% and social taxes — to 26%. These measures together with the policy of strong fiscal discipline significantly increased budget revenue.<ref>{{cite journal |author= Назаров В.&nbsp;С. |url= http://www.ru-90.ru/node/1170 |title= Налоговая система России в 1991—2008 годах |journal= История новой России |access-date= 20 January 2019 |archive-date= 28 June 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170628022813/http://www.ru-90.ru/node/1170 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

In 2003, Kasyanov's Cabinet reformed the taxation of [[Petroleum industry in Russia|petroleum sector]] and established a special [[Stabilization fund]].<ref>http://www.xn--b1aecntlbyj.su/newspaper/articles/2003/12/26/kasyanov-opredelil-sverhpribyl {{dead link|date=June 2022}}</ref> As a result, the budget revenue stream from this sector has increased and the Stabilization Fund has started accumulating significant amounts of foreign exchange, creating a financial airbag for the country. It was a time of an overall [[Economic liberalization|financial liberalization]].

[[File:Vladimir Putin 17 May 2001-6.jpg|thumb|Putin, Kasyanov and Deputy Prime Minister [[Viktor Khristenko]] at the 7th Russia-EU Summit in Moscow, May 2001]]
An important achievement of Kasyanov's Cabinet was the successful implementation of the small business encouragement policy. Introduction of simplified [[Tax|taxation system]], easy state registration of businesses and ban on frequent inspections by state agencies were among those measures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_28165/3908f157150b10882cccfbb7f359866338098767/|title=НК РФ Статья 346.20. Налоговые ставки / КонсультантПлюс|website=Consultant.ru|access-date=20 January 2019|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630230314/http://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_28165/3908f157150b10882cccfbb7f359866338098767/|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was during Mikhail Kasyanov's time as Russian Prime Minister that the transfer of agricultural lands to [[private property]] began. Additionally to that credit support mechanism for agricultural production was introduced and Russia very rapidly again became one of the leading exporters of grain after decades of huge annual import of [[wheat]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.ru/mneniya-column/vertikal/251269-kabinet-kasyanova-chem-pomogli-rossii-reformy-nakanune-tuchnykh-let|title=Кабинет Касьянова: чем помогли России реформы накануне тучных лет|website=Forbes.ru|date=24 February 2014 |access-date=4 June 2022|archive-date=4 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604164346/https://www.forbes.ru/mneniya-column/vertikal/251269-kabinet-kasyanova-chem-pomogli-rossii-reformy-nakanune-tuchnykh-let|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kasyanov was dismissed, along with the entire Russian cabinet, by President Vladimir Putin on 24 February 2004 after more than three years in office, two weeks before the [[2004 Russian presidential election]] on 14 March. There were disagreements between Kasyanov and Putin on matters of policy. The President stated on national television "This decision bears no relation to any assessment of the performance of the former composition of the government. It was dictated by my desire to once again delineate my position on the issue of what development course the country will take after March 14, 2004."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/feb/24/russia|title=Putin dismisses Russian government|agency=Associated Press|date=24 February 2004|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=4 June 2022|archive-date=4 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604164751/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/feb/24/russia|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2595-2004Feb24.html Isachenkov, Vladimir (24 February 2004). Russian President Fires Entire Government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121064156/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2595-2004Feb24.html |date=21 January 2019 }}. ''Washington Post''. Retrieved 20 January 2019</ref>

==Political activity after resignation==
===After leaving the government (2004–2008)===
On the first anniversary of his dismissal (24 February 2005) Kasyanov gave a press conference at which he said that he might run for president in the 2008 elections. His bid was supported by [[Leonid Nevzlin]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsru.com/russia/03mar2005/nevzlin.html|title=Леонид Невзлин готов поддержать Михаила Касьянова, если он пойдет на выборы президента в 2008 году|date=3 March 2005|website=Newsru.com|access-date=4 June 2022|archive-date=3 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803194053/https://www.newsru.com/russia/03mar2005/nevzlin.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Boris Berezovsky (businessman)|Boris Berezovsky]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsru.com/russia/11apr2005/berezovsky.html|title=Березовский нашел замену Путину после неизбежной революции в России<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=News.ru.com|date=11 April 2005|access-date=16 March 2007|archive-date=21 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421162828/http://www.newsru.com/russia/11apr2005/berezovsky.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Garry Kasparov]].

In April 2006, Mikhail Kasyanov was elected Chairman of the People's Democratic Union (PDU), a newly launched NGO. PDU was one of the co-founders of the first "The Other Russia" conference<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theotherrussia.ru/|title="Другая Россия"|website=Theotherrussia.ru|access-date=14 August 2014|archive-date=25 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825181428/http://www.theotherrussia.ru/|url-status=live}}</ref> in July 2006 and of "The Other Russia" coalition that was set up at the conference. Kasyanov and the PDU were actively involved in the coalition's work and took part in the [[Dissenters March|Dissenters' Marches]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.namarsh.ru/|title=МАРШ НЕСОГЛАСНЫХ|website=Namarsh.ru|access-date=14 August 2014|archive-date=7 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407045345/http://www.namarsh.ru/|url-status=live}}</ref> in Moscow and St. Petersburg – the first protest manifestations in many years. On 3 March 2007, Kasparov and Kasyanov spoke against Putin's government to thousands of supporters at the [[Saint Petersburg Dissenters' March]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/world/europe/04russia.html|title=Police and Protesters Clash in St. Petersburg|first=Andrew E.|last=Kramer|newspaper=The New York Times|date=4 March 2007|access-date=22 February 2017|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017172922/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/world/europe/04russia.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

At a presentation in [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] 26 June 2006, Kasyanov criticized Putin's administration. He said:
"Separation of powers has been effectively demolished and replaced by the so-called ‘[[Vertical of Power]]' which is based on the false idea that all the meaningful social and political processes must be kept under control by the state. The government and parliament cannot function any longer without daily instructions. The judiciary is increasingly servile. Independent TV does not exist any more at the federal level and is being quickly uprooted in the regions. Moreover, the state-owned companies and the state itself increase their grip over the electronic and printed media. Responsibility of the regional level of power is totally destroyed by the abolishment of direct elections for the governors."<ref>[http://www.iiss.org/index.asp?pgid=13983 Address on "Russia's G8 Presidency: Challenges and Opportunities"] 26 June 2006] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070511030826/http://www.iiss.org/index.asp?pgid=13983 |date=11 May 2007 }}</ref>

PDU had regional branches in 75 regions of Russia.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ru:Регионы, в которых созданы отделения РНДС|url=http://nardemsoyuz.ru/pages/contacts/regions.html|publisher=Россйиский Народно-Демократический Союз|language=ru|access-date=25 August 2013|archive-date=1 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301135843/http://nardemsoyuz.ru/pages/contacts/regions.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In June 2007 Kasyanov was nominated by the PDU as a candidate for the presidential elections. In September 2007 the new political party [[People for Democracy and Justice]] ({{ill|Народ за демократию и справедливость|ru|vertical-align=sup}}) was established on the basis of the PDU, and Kasyanov was elected its chairman.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

====Fraud accusations and court case (2005–2007)====
Allegations that Kasyanov took a two percent commission in exchange for ignoring bribes and illegal business ventures whilst he was working at the [[Ministry of Finance (Russia)|Ministry of Finance]] between 1993 and 1999 were made in the state-controlled [[Mass media in Russia|Russian media]] which branded him as ''"Misha 2 percent"''.<ref name="spiegel150307">{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,471854,00.html|title=Kasparov Takes on Putin's Russia|last=Klussmann|first=Uwe|date=15 March 2007|work=[[Der Spiegel|Spiegel]]|access-date=12 June 2009|archive-date=9 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809172535/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,471854,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="putinsrussia">{{cite book|last=Shevtsova|first=Lilia|title=Putin's Russia|publisher=[[Carnegie Endowment for International Peace]]|year=2005|page=88|chapter=Putin, the New Russian Leader|isbn=0-87003-213-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l-1mIBMVZ_UC|access-date=12 June 2009}}</ref> In an article by Peter J. Stavrakis entitled "Russia's evolution as a predatory state" (part of a compilation entitled ''"Russia's uncertain economic future"'', written for the [[United States Congressional Joint Economic Committee]]), the allegations were unsurprisingly described as credible.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hardt|first=John Pearce|title=Russia's uncertain economic future|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|year=2003|pages=352–353|chapter=Russia's Evolution as a Predatory State|isbn=0-7656-1207-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6vfCHcp_X6wC|access-date=12 June 2009}}</ref>

In July 2005, State Duma deputy from the [[United Russia]] faction [[Alexander Khinshtein]] made accusations against Mikhail Kasyanov; according to Khinshtein, Kasyanov, when he was prime minister, privatized ''Sosnovka-1'', the former state [[dacha]] of [[Mikhail Suslov]], a former member of the [[Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]], in 2003 at a reduced price.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinshtein.ru/cgi-bin/3publication.pl?nomer_novosti=65 |title= Сайт депутата Государственной Думы РФ Александра Хинштейна |trans-title=Website of Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Alexander Khinshtein |language=ru |website=www.hinshtein.ru |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901014625/http://www.hinshtein.ru/cgi-bin/3publication.pl?nomer_novosti=65 |archive-date=1 September 2007}}</ref> 

The {{ill|Prosecutor General's Office|ru|Прокуратура Российской Федерации|vertical-align=sup}} used the published materials as a reason to initiate a criminal case on 1 July 2005 against the general director of FSUE VPK Invest Ramil Gaisin under Article 165 Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("causing property damage on an especially large scale by deception or abuse of trust").<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://lenta.ru/news/2005/07/19/villa/ |title="Комсомольская правда" нашла третью дачу Касьянова |trans-title="Komsomolskaya Pravda" found Kasyanov's third dacha |language=ru |website=Lenta.ru |access-date=2016-04-17 |archive-date=2016-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505081922/https://lenta.ru/news/2005/07/19/villa/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The publication of the materials and the message from the Prosecutor General's Office about the initiation of a criminal case coincided with Kasyanov's stay on vacation abroad:<ref>[http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/596302 Ъ-Газета — Заявление Михаила Касьянова от 25 июля 2005 года]</ref>
{{blockquote|I returned to Moscow despite the threats made against me. I have no doubt that the systematically launched slanderous campaign to discredit me, based on lies and distortion of facts, is part of the general strategy of the authorities to completely cleanse the political field. The results of the implementation of such a strategy are obvious - growing social alienation and uncertainty among citizens about their future, a slowdown in economic growth against the backdrop of record export prices, and a steady decline in Russia's international authority. Creating conditions for a real, non-sham political process involving public discussion of different points of view about the situation in the country and freedom to choose between them is a task that I will continue to work on.}}

In July 2005, the Russian Office of Public Prosecutor started investigating the privatization of two houses formerly owned by the government. According to the court verdict in March 2007, Kasyanov was to return a house and pay 108,135,000 rubles in damages to the government for using the property illegally (approx. USD 4,150,000 or €3,130,000). In 2007, Kasyanov was still planning to appeal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsru.com/russia/16mar2007/kasjanovdacha.html|title=Суд обязал экс-премьера Касьянова вернуть государству дачу "Сосновка-1" ''News.ru'' 16 March 2007|date=16 March 2007|access-date=16 March 2007|archive-date=19 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319195138/http://newsru.com/russia/16mar2007/kasjanovdacha.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Khinshtein's assumptions were not confirmed. The ''Sosnovka-1'' facility was acquired by Kasyanov legally after he left government service. In 1996, the Evikhon company leased the facility for 49 years from the [[Federal Agency for State Property Management|State Property Committee]], then ''Sosnovka-1'' was transferred to the management of the VPK-Invest company, which in 2003 received the right to sell dachas. First, ''Sosnovka-1'' was acquired by the Amelia company, and in 2004, it was resold to Mikhail Kasyanov. In 2006, the Moscow Arbitration Court recognized Kasyanov as a bona fide purchaser and refused to return the property to the state. However, the [[Federal Agency for State Property Management]] filed new claims, and in 2007, by a court decision, the dacha was returned to state ownership.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kozlova |first=Natalya |title=Касьянов дачу сдал |trans-title=Kasyanov rented out the dacha |language=ru |url=https://rg.ru/2007/09/22/dacha.html |work=[[Rossiyskaya Gazeta]] |date=2007-09-22 |issue=4474 |archivedate=2020-07-21 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721202754/https://rg.ru/2007/09/22/dacha.html}}</ref>

A ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' article from 2007 notes that Kasyanov insists that his only earnings as a [[Civil service|public servant]] were his government salary, and he has only been involved in private business ventures for "one year" since leaving the post of prime minister. The same article also supported Khinshtein's claim about ''Sosnovka-1''.<ref name="spiegel150307"/>

===2008 presidential candidacy===
[[File:Kasyanov_2009.jpg|thumb|Mikhail Kasyanov at a rally of the [[Solidarnost]] movement on 21 February 2009]]
In 2006, Kasyanov declared that he desired to establish a new political party and run for president [[2008 Russian presidential election|in 2008]].<ref name=fas>{{cite web |last1=Goldman |first1=Stuart D. |title=Russia's 2008 Presidential Succession |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL34392.pdf |date=26 February 2008 |website=Fas.org |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-date=28 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328195210/http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL34392.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kasyanov left the opposition group [[The Other Russia (coalition)|The Other Russia]] in July 2007 due to the group's failure to agree on a single presidential candidate.<ref name=leaveOthRus>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110727220240/http://origin.rferl.org/content/article/1077443.html Former Russian Premier Leaves Opposition Group], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] (3 July 2007)</ref>

Kasyanov established the Russian Popular Democratic Union party. However, the Federal Registration Service blocked the party from participating in the [[2007 Russian legislative election|2007 legislative election]].<ref name=fas/>

It was not known whether Kasyanov would continue his candidacy after [[Garry Kasparov]] entered the race, but on 8 December 2007 he reaffirmed he would run in the election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.people.cn/90001/90777/90853/6317339.html|title=Russian ex-PM nominated presidential candidate - People's Daily Online|website=En.people.cn|access-date=4 June 2022|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706224807/http://en.people.cn/90001/90777/90853/6317339.html|url-status=live}}</ref> That day Russian Popular Democratic Union Party nominated Kasyanov as their presidential candidate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Newsline - December 10, 2007 |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1144010.html |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |access-date=9 June 2019 |date=10 December 2007 |archive-date=4 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804145758/https://www.rferl.org/a/1144010.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 16 January 2008, he announced that he had finished collecting the 2 million signatures necessary to run as a candidate.<ref>[http://www.gazeta.ru/politics/elections2008/2008/01/15_a_2558316.shtml Трое сдали, двое дописывают] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117055131/http://www.gazeta.ru/politics/elections2008/2008/01/15_a_2558316.shtml |date=17 January 2008 }} ''Gazeta'' 15 January 2008</ref> Later that month, however, the Central Election Commission rejected his candidacy on the grounds that 13.36% of the signatures were invalid.<ref>[http://www.besttopnews.com/news/social/politics/27-01-2008/55575-0/ CEC dismissed Kasyanov] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103011739/http://www.besttopnews.com/news/social/politics/27-01-2008/55575-0/ |date=3 January 2018 }} ''Top News'' 27 January 2008</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2008/01/23/011.html|title=Investigators Target Kasyanov Camp|date=2008-01-23|newspaper=The Moscow Times|access-date=2011-02-19}}</ref> and he was disqualified.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7211622.stm|title=Europe &#124; Kasyanov barred from Russian poll|date=2008-01-27|work=BBC News|access-date=2011-02-19|archive-date=17 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217065746/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7211622.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Kasyanov appealed the decision to the Supreme Court,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6349816.html|title=Former Russian PM challenges refusal to register him as presidential candidate - People's Daily Online|author=|date=2008-02-02|website=English.people.com.cn|access-date=2011-02-19|archive-date=10 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010022433/http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6349816.html|url-status=live}}</ref> which rejected the appeal on 6 February 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6351794.html|title=Russian court rejects former PM's request to enter presidential race - People's Daily Online|author=|date=2008-02-06|website=English.people.com.cn|access-date=2011-02-19|archive-date=10 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010022559/http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6351794.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Mikhail Kasyanov (7180833947).jpg|thumb|Kasyanov during the [[2011–2013 Russian protests]]]]
[[File:Boris Nemtsov's March.jpg|thumb|Kasyanov takes part in a march in memory of [[Assassination of Boris Nemtsov|assassinated]] opposition politician [[Boris Nemtsov]] in Moscow, 1 March 2015]]
Kasyanov claimed that the decision to prevent his candidacy was taken by Putin himself, who he claimed was afraid that, in a fair election, [[Dmitry Medvedev]] might lose.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/world/europe/28russia.html|title=Russia Bars Opposition Candidate From March 2 Ballot|first=C. J.|last=Chivers|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=28 January 2008|access-date=22 February 2017|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301010015/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/world/europe/28russia.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kasyanov described the elections as a farce and called for a boycott.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7211622.stm|title=Kasyanov barred from Russian poll|date=27 January 2008|website=News.bbc.co.uk|access-date=27 January 2008|archive-date=17 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217065746/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7211622.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Author: "Without Putin" (2009)===
The presentation of Kasyanov's book ''Without Putin'' in the [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] capital [[Kyiv]] on 18 December 2009 was cancelled merely minutes before its planned opening.<ref name=Kyiv/> Kasyanov's press secretary claimed that the electricity went out in the Premier Palace Hotel on {{ill|Taras Shevchenko Boulevard|uk|Бульвар Тараса Шевченка (Київ)}} minutes before the presentation was to start and that some 20 young men had blocked the entrance to the hotel to keep attendees from entering.<ref name=Kyiv>{{Cite web|url=http://origin.rferl.org/content/Russian_Opposition_Leaders_Book_Premiere_Blocked_In_Kyiv/1907723.html|title=Russian Opposition Leader's Book Premiere Blocked In Kyiv - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 2011|date=27 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727220316/http://origin.rferl.org/content/Russian_Opposition_Leaders_Book_Premiere_Blocked_In_Kyiv/1907723.html |access-date=4 June 2022|archive-date=27 July 2011 }}</ref>

===Kadyrov's threats against Kasyanov (2016)===

In February 2016, Kasyanov's image was posted online by Chechen leader [[Ramzan Kadyrov]] on his social media account, with Kasyanov being in cross hairs of a sniper rifle. This was seen as a threat against Kasyanov.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/world/europe/menacing-video-posted-by-chechen-leader-alarms-critics-of-putin-in-russia.html|title=Menacing Video Posted by Chechen Leader Alarms Critics of Putin in Russia|first=Neil|last=MacFarquhar|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1 February 2016|access-date=26 September 2017|archive-date=27 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927000327/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/world/europe/menacing-video-posted-by-chechen-leader-alarms-critics-of-putin-in-russia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 February, Kasyanov was attacked in a Moscow restaurant by a dozen men who yelled death threats at him.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/10/world/europe/russia-putin-opponent-is-attacked-after-veiled-threat.html|title=Russia: Putin Opponent Is Attacked After Veiled Threat|first=Andrew E.|last=Kramer|newspaper=The New York Times|date=9 February 2016|access-date=26 September 2017|archive-date=11 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211101343/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/10/world/europe/russia-putin-opponent-is-attacked-after-veiled-threat.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Defection over Ukraine (2022)===
He opposed the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="thehill-2023-11-25"/> In May 2022, Kasyanov participated in the 8th "Russia Forum" in [[Vilnius]], together with [[Mikhail Khodorkovsky|Khodorkovsky]], the Russian oil oligarch and former head of Russian oil and gas giant [[Yukos]], the head of the US-think tank [[Freedom House]], the head of the US-government funded broadcaster [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|Radio Free Europe]] and others. The aim of the "anti-Putin summit" was to develop a strategy on how to "de-Putinise" Russia and "slay the Russian bear", meaning [[Vladimir Putin]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1704032/vyksta-8-asis-vilniaus-rusijos-forumas|title=Vyksta 8-asis Vilniaus Rusijos forumas|date=27 May 2022|website=Lrt.lt|access-date=4 June 2022|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609192649/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1704032/vyksta-8-asis-vilniaus-rusijos-forumas|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/ukraine-krise/aufstand-von-unten-vertreibung-durch-generaele-geheimer-anti-putin-gipfel-drei-szenarien-fuer-ein-russland-ohne-den-despoten_id_105883780.html |title=Geheimer Anti-Putin-Gipfel: Drei Szenarien für ein Russland ohne den Despoten - FOCUS Online |access-date=28 May 2022 |archive-date=28 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528041824/https://www.focus.de/politik/ausland/ukraine-krise/aufstand-von-unten-vertreibung-durch-generaele-geheimer-anti-putin-gipfel-drei-szenarien-fuer-ein-russland-ohne-den-despoten_id_105883780.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In June 2022, Kasyanov told [[Agence France-Presse]] that he had temporarily left Russia, without providing additional details <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/06/03/putin-critic-and-ex-pm-kasyanov-leaves-russia-a77892|title=Putin Critic and Ex-PM Kasyanov Leaves Russia|website=[[The Moscow Times]]|date=3 June 2022|access-date=6 June 2022|archive-date=4 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604083633/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/06/03/putin-critic-and-ex-pm-kasyanov-leaves-russia-a77892|url-status=live}}</ref> and as of June 2023, he is in the [[Latvia]]n capital of [[Riga]].

In November 2023, Russia's Justice Ministry said he was added to the list of "[[Russian foreign agent law|foreign agents]]".<ref name="thehill-2023-11-25">{{cite news |title=Former Russian prime minister added to Putin's 'foreign agent' list |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/4326858-former-russian-prime-minister-added-foreign-agent-list/ |work=The Hill |date=25 November 2023}}</ref> In November 2025, he was included in the Russian government's federal database of “terrorists and extremists”.<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia Adds Former PM Kasyanov to 'Terrorists and Extremists' List |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/11/17/russia-adds-former-pm-kasyanov-to-terrorists-and-extremists-list-a91146 |work=The Moscow Times |date=18 November 2025}}</ref>

==Timeline==
[[File:Vladimir Putin 21 February 2001-5.jpg|thumb|Vladimir Putin and Mikhail Kasyanov on 21 February 2001]]
[[File:Miting9okt2010.jpg|thumb|Kasyanov at an opposition meeting with [[Boris Nemtsov]], [[Vladimir Milov]], [[Vladimir Ryzhkov]] and [[Ilya Yashin]] on 9 October 2010]]
*1981–90: Engineer; leading economist; Senior Specialist; Head of Section, Department of Foreign Economic Relations of the State Planning Committee of the RSFSR.
*1990: appointed Head of Section, Sub-department of Foreign Economic Relations of the State Planning Committee of the RSFSR.
*1991: Deputy Head, Sub-department, then Head, Sub-department of Foreign Economic Relations of the Ministry of Economy of the Russian Federation.
*1992–93: Head, Consolidation Department of the Ministry of Economy of the Russian Federation.
*1993–95: Head, Department of Foreign Credits and External Debt of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation and member of the board of the Ministry of Finance.
*1995: appointed Deputy Minister of Finance.
*1999: appointed First Deputy Minister of Finance.
*May 1999: appointed Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation.
*January 2000: appointed First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
*May 2000: Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
*February 2004: Sacked by President Putin along with the entire cabinet.
*March 2005: Mikhail Kasyanov launched his advisory firm MK Analytica. He started to vocally criticize Russian authorities for their anti-democratic drift and declared his intention to take part in the presidential elections in 2008 to change the general political course of the country.
*April 2006: Chairman of the People's Democratic Union (PDU), a newly launched NGO.
*June 2007: Nominated by the PDU as a candidate for the presidential elections.
*July 2007: due to the group's failure to agree on a single presidential candidate Kasyanov leaves [[The Other Russia (coalition)|The Other Russia]].<ref name=leaveOthRus/>
*September 2007: Chairman of the new political party "People for Democracy and Justice" established on the basis of PDU.
*December 2007: approved by a congress of supporters as a candidate for the presidential elections.
*January 2008: The [[Central Election Commission (Russia)|Central Election Commission of Russia]] barred his candidacy for the presidential elections, citing an excess of forgeries within his required two million signatures.
*November 2014: Appeared before the House of Lords EU External Affairs Sub-Committee in London Houses of Parliament to be questioned regarding his opinion as to how the European Union should best respond to [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russian military intervention in Ukraine]].

==See also==
* [[Mikhail Kasyanov's Cabinet]]
* [[Zelyonka attack]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Official website|1=http://eng.kasyanov.ru/index.html?nav_id=62}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930171643/http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=700710 The Empire of Freedom], Mikhail Kasyanov ''[[Kommersant]]'', 29 August 2006.
*[http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=16515 "House of Lords EU External Affairs Sub-Committee"], 19 November 2014

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{{s-bef|before=[[Mikhail Mikhailovich Zadornov|Mikhail Zadornov]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Finance (Russia)|Minister of Finance]]|years=1998–2000}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Alexei Kudrin]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Vladimir Putin]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Deputy Prime Minister of Russia]]|years=2000}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Dmitry Medvedev]]}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Russia]]|years=2000–2004}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mikhail Fradkov]]}}
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{{Prime Ministers of Russia}}
{{Finance ministers of Russia}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kasyanov, Mikhail}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1st class Active State Councillors of the Russian Federation]]
[[Category:2003 Tuzla Island conflict]]
[[Category:2011–2013 Russian protests]]
[[Category:Finance ministers of Russia]]
[[Category:Heads of government of the Russian Federation]]
[[Category:The Other Russia (coalition)]]
[[Category:People's Freedom Party "For Russia without Lawlessness and Corruption" politicians]]
[[Category:People's Freedom Party politicians]]
[[Category:People listed in Russia as foreign agents]]
[[Category:Russian dissidents]]
[[Category:Politicians from Moscow]]