Born May 9, 1958 in the village of Chedino in the Mariinsky Posad District of Chuvashia
Education
1980: Graduated from the Department of Law of Kazan state University
1985: Completed post-graduate programme at the Institute of State and Law of the Soviet Academy of Sciences
Experience
1980-1982, 1985-1989: professor at Ulyanov State University of the Chuvash Republic.
1989: elected people's deputy of the USSR.
1990-1993: Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation.
1993: elected member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation (1st convocation).
January 1994: President of the Chuvash Republic.
Awards and Recognitions
Holds advanced degrees in Economics (Doctorate degree) and Law (PhD),
Winner of the Russian Federation's State Prize in science and technology.