Political reform in Arkhangelsk
The Arkhangelsk regional parliament has approved a set of formal changes in the regional political system.
The changes approved yesterday by the parliament place regional structures in line with federal standards. From now on, both the governor and the regional parliament will serve on five-year terms. In addition, the regional administration will be named “government” and departments and deputy heads of administration turned into respectively “ministries” and “ministers”. Also the title of regional leader Ilya Mikhalchuk will be changed. From now on he will no longer be “head of administration” but rather “governor”. Deputy Governor Aleksandr Topchy says to Dvinainform.ru that the reform will result in a lower number of regional officials. In addition, the salary level in the new regional government will be reduced with 20 percent, he confirms.