On 28 July 2010, Ignatyev was appointed by the State Council of the Chuvash Republic as President of the Chuvash Republic after being proposed by President Dmitry Medvedev.
In the state council 37 deputies voted in favor, five against, and one abstained.
He took office on 29 August.

On 1 January 2012, the title of the office was changed to Head of Chuvashia.
On 9 June 2015, he was appointed acting head of the republic by President Vladimir Putin and was later elected to a second term with 65.54% of the popular vote on 13 September.
On 28 July 2010, Ignatyev was appointed by the State Council of the Chuvash Republic as President of the Chuvash Republic after being proposed by President Dmitry Medvedev. In the state council 37 deputies voted in favor, five against, and one abstained. He took office on 29 August.
On 1 January 2012, the title of the office was changed to Head of Chuvashia. On 9 June 2015, he was appointed acting head of the republic by President Vladimir Putin and was later elected to a second term with 65.54% of the popular vote on 13 September.
Mikhail Ignatyev (politician)