New Arkhangelsk governor inaugurated
Ilya Mikhalchuk was today sworn in as new governor of Arkhangelsk Oblast. To an audience of 400 people the new governor said that major emphasis will now be put on the development of industry and infrastructure in the region.
Mr. Mikhalchuk also said that he will do what he can to strengthen relations with the neighbouring Nenets Autonomous Okrug and that living standards in the two regions need to be levelled. The Nenets AO is in the process of being included in the Arkhangelsk Oblast. Among the guests were Governor of the Nenets AO Valerii Potapenko. Ilya Mikhalchuk, the former city mayor of Yakutsk, was completely unknown to the people of Arkhangelsk when appointed by President Putin on 10 March. His candidacy was approved by the regional parliament on March 19.
