Russia’s Central Bank chief disappears from public view as resignation rumors swirl; one report links her future to fears of border closures and martial law - Meduza
Meduza • • world
Key Points:
- Elvira Nabiullina, Russia’s central bank governor, has been absent from public events for over a week due to illness, missing key forums and a meeting with President Vladimir Putin focused on inflation and interest rates.
- The Central Bank and Kremlin confirmed Nabiullina's illness but provided no details on her condition or return, with her next public appearance scheduled for early July.
- Speculation surrounds her absence, including theories about avoiding policy discussions or attending a funeral, and concerns about her potential resignation since she cannot serve a fourth term under current law.
- Three candidates are reportedly being considered as her replacement, though officials have not dismissed the possibility of extending her term through legal changes.
- Nabiullina’s role is highly significant, as she singularly oversees Russia’s monetary policy and financial regulation, a concentration of power unlike the distributed systems in many other developed countries.