Aman-Geldy Moldagazyevich Tuleyev (1944–2023) was a prominent Russian politician who served as the long-time governor of Kemerovo Oblast, a major coal-mining region in Siberia. Known for his populist approach and extended tenure, he played a significant role in the region's political and economic landscape during the post-Soviet era.
Biography and Career
Born Aman-Geldy Moldagazyevich Tuleyev on May 13, 1944, in Krasnovodsk, Turkmen SSR (now Türkmenbaşy, Turkmenistan), Tuleyev began his professional life in railway transport. He graduated from the Tikhoretsk Railway College in 1964 and later from the Novosibirsk Institute of Railway Engineers in 1973. His career in the railway system spanned several decades, during which he rose through various managerial positions.
Tuleyev's political career began in the late Soviet period. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, he transitioned into the new Russian political system.
- Early Political Roles: From 1990 to 1993, he served as Chairman of the Kemerovo Regional Council of People's Deputies. In 1993, he was elected to the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, representing Kemerovo Oblast. He also served as a Deputy of the State Duma, the lower house, from 1996 to 1997.
- Presidential Candidacies: Tuleyev unsuccessfully ran for President of Russia three times. His first attempt was in 1991, followed by campaigns in 1996 (where he withdrew in favor of Gennady Zyuganov) and 2000, consistently receiving a low percentage of the national vote but maintaining a strong regional base.
- Governor of Kemerovo Oblast (1997–2018): Tuleyev was first elected Governor of Kemerovo Oblast in 1997 and was re-elected multiple times, serving for over two decades. During his tenure, he became known for his direct communication style, emphasis on social welfare programs, and efforts to manage the complex economic challenges of a region heavily dependent on the coal industry. He was often seen as a stabilizing force in the region, particularly during times of economic hardship and social unrest, and was credited with maintaining relative peace in the Kuzbass coal basin.
- Later Career: Following his resignation as governor, Tuleyev briefly served as the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Kemerovo Oblast from 2018 to 2018. He then took on the role of Rector of the Kuzbass Regional Institute for Professional Development of Educators, a position he held until 2022.
Resignation and Death
Aman Tuleyev resigned from his governorship on April 1, 2018, following the devastating fire at a shopping mall in Kemerovo in March 2018, which killed over 60 people, many of them children. The tragedy and the regional government's initial response drew significant public criticism and pressure for accountability.
Aman Tuleyev died on November 5, 2023, at the age of 79. He is remembered as one of Russia's most enduring and influential regional leaders of the post-Soviet era, having navigated Kemerovo Oblast through significant social and economic transformations.