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Medvedev suggests new governor for Komi

Komi Republic

Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev recommends Vyacheslav Gayzer as new Governor of the Republic of Komi Komi. If his candidacy is approved by the regional parliament, the long-serving public elected Vladimir Torlopov will have to abandon his post.

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According to a press release from the Kremlin, President Dmitry Medvedev recommends Vyacheslav Gayzer as new Governor of Komi. Gayzer currently holds post as Deputy Governor of the republic.

- The president’s decision comes as no surprise to me, Mr. Gayzer says to web site Komi Online. – My candidacy was under consideration by the president right from the start.

Mr. Gayzer was one of three candidates suggested for the post as Governor of Komi by the leadership in the United Russia party in October, as BarentsObserver reported.

Current Governor of the Republic of Komi Vladimir Torlopov says in a comment to Komi Online that President Medvedev’s decision to replace him with Gayzer is a sign of political development:

- This is not a revolutionary alternative. After I was elected as head of the region in 2001, the political elite and administrative apparatus were replaced, but now the team that has been built up during these eight years will be kept. I will continue to work within politics, he adds.

Mr. Torlopov has held post as regional leader of Komi since December 2001, when he was elected in a public referendum. If he is replaced, the Russian part of the Barents Region will only have one public elected governor left – Governor of the Republic of Karelia Sergey Katanandov.

Since 2004, the Russian governors have been appointed by the president. The president chooses his preferred candidate, which then has to be approved by the regional parliament.

Vyacheslav Gayzer is on the President’s list over 100 top managers with presidential backing. These are people who could potentially hold high posts in Russia.

The regional parliament of Komi will considerate Vyacheslav Gayzer’s candidacy on January 15, newspaper Vedomosti reports.