Nikolai Ryzhkov may continue to work as an advisor in the Federation Council

Former USSR Prime Minister Nikolai Ryzhkov may continue to work as an adviser to the Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko. Mr. Ryzhkov told reporters that he was offered to take this position on a voluntary basis.

“This is my decision (to terminate my powers). I had a conversation with Valentina Ivanovna, she will offer me to go to her as an adviser on a voluntary basis,” said the ex-Prime Minister of the USSR (quoted from TASS.

Nikolai Ryzhkov worked as a senator for 20 years. Document on early termination of powers of a senator signed Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko September 25. Mr. Ryzhkov explained his resignation from his position due to his age. “I looked at my passport and said ‘enough is enough’,” said the 94-year-old politician.

In the 1980s, Mr. Ryzhkov served as Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, was a member of the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee, and supported Mikhail Gorbachev’s course towards creating “market socialism” while maintaining planned economic management. He headed the headquarters for liquidation of the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, coordinated the work to liquidate the consequences of the earthquake in the city of Spitak in Armenia. He is the last living head of government of the USSR.

Alexandra Goroshilova