Congratulations to Nikolai Merkushkin on officially taking office as Governor of Samara Region 2012-05-12 16:00:00 Vladimir Putin congratulated Nikolai Merkushkin on officially taking office as Governor and Prime Minister of the Samara Region. The President’s message reads, in part: “You’re known as an experienced and respected leader, able to successfully handle the most demanding tasks. I am confident that you will do everything necessary to reveal Samara Region’s considerable socio-economic potential and to raise the standard of living.”