The first deputy premier of the Soviet Union was the deputy head of government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Despite the title, the office was not necessarily held by a single individual. A first deputy premier was responsible over a specific policy area. For example, Kirill Mazurov was responsible for industry, while Dmitry Polyansky was responsible for agriculture. In addition, an officeholder would be responsible for coordinating the activities of ministries, state committees, and other bodies subordinated to the government. Twenty-six individuals held the post of first deputy premier. The first officeholder was Valerian Kuybyshev, who was inaugurated in 1934. Lavrentiy Beria spent the shortest time in office, serving for 113 days. At more than seventeen years, Vyacheslav Molotov (pictured) spent the longest time in office, and held his position through most of Joseph Stalin's term as Premier of the Soviet Union, as well as through the chairmanships of Georgy Malenkov and Nikolai Bulganin. (Full list...)