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Marina Kovtun appointed Governor of Murmansk Oblast

Marina Kovtun's inauguration ceremony was held on Friday afternoon. Photo: Gov-murman.ru

Marina Kovtun was Friday officially appointed Governor of Murmansk Oblast by the members of the regional Duma. 30 candidates voted for her – three against.

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Her candidacy was nominated by Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev after the former governor Dmitry Dmitriyenko resigned on April 4. 

In a gratulation telegram Medvedev says “Through your career you have acquired the knowledge and experience required for this post. I am confident that you will make every effort to ensure continued socio-economic development of the region and improved quality of life for the people. I wish you sicess in your work and all the best!”

Watch video from the inaguration ceremony on the Murmansk Regional Government’s web site.

Marina Kovtun is the third ever female governor in the history of Russia. Of the country’s 83 governors only one other is headed by a woman, Natalya Komarova from the Khanty-Mansiisky AO. Valentina Matviyenko, who is now Speaker in the Federation Council, was Governor of St. Petersburg in the period 2003-2011.

Kovtun was born in Murmansk in 1962 and has lived and worked in the region all her life. She has held several positions in the regional administration within the departments for public social safety, for tourism, sport and culture, and for economic development. The three last years she has had high-ranking positions in the Norilsk Nickel regional subsidiary Kola Mining and Metallurgy Company, lately as Deputy General Director.

In December 2011 Marina Kovtun was elected to the Murmansk Regional Duma, where she took position as First Deputy Speaker and also became head of United Russia’s fraction.