Support The Moscow Times!

Medvedev Names New Kalmykia Leader

President Dmitry Medvedev has nominated Kalmykia’s first deputy prime minister, Alexei Orlov, as the new leader of the Buddhist republic, Interfax reported Tuesday.

Orlov's candidacy was submitted Monday to the local legislature, which has to confirm the appointment, the report said.

Incumbent Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, 48, has governed Kalmykia since 1993 but said Sept. 6 that he would not seek reappointment after his fourth term expires next month.

Ilyumzhinov cited Medvedev’s policy of limiting governors to three terms as the reason for his decision. He also said he plans to continue as president of the World Chess Federation, where he faces a tough re-election contest later this month.

Orlov, 48, a Kalmykia native and a graduate of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, was shortlisted for Kalmykia's top job by the ruling United Russia party on Sept. 8 along with Volgograd Deputy Governor Alexander Dorzhdeyev, deputy chief of the Federal Service for Financial Markets Bembei Khukhlachiyev and the speaker of Kalmykia’s legislature, Anatoly Kozachko.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more