Alexander Alexandrovich Volkov (politician)

Alexander Alexandrovich Volkov ( _ru. Алекса́ндр Алекса́ндрович Во́лков) (b. 1951) is the President of the Udmurt Republic, located in the heart of Russia between the Kama and Vyatka Rivers. As President, Volkov is the highest official in the Udmurt Republic, the head of the republic's highest executive body, and leader of its two million citizens. Volkov took office November 3, 2005, for a five year term after the first presidential elections in the Udmurt Republic took place on October 15, 2000. Prior to the elections, Volkov was the speaker of the Udmurtia Republican Legislature.

Born into a large worker’s family, President Volkov graduated from a technical school and then worked as a foreman, chief engineer, and head of a construction department while studying at the Polytechnic Institute.

From engineer to politician

Volkov is an experienced and flexible regional politician whose 2000 election as President of the Udmert Republic was "not exactly a birthday present for the Kremlin," according to political consultant Igor Mintoussov. [http://www.nikkolom.ru/english/subject_20_11_00.htm]

The danger of terrorism is the main concern of many among Volkov's constituents, especially for the 600,000 residents of Izhevsk, where Volkov occupies a palace and where Russia's oldest armaments factory is located, about 1,300km east of Moscow. Surrounding rural regions are relatively impoverished and are said to turn to Volkov and the Udmurtia Legislature for support.

Along with Udmurt technical experts, Volkov has been negotiating with Gazprom, Russia's largest natural gas extractor, in collaborative efforts to develop the region’s gas supply system and establishing a centralized gas distribution company.

In President Volkov's most recent State of the Union address, he expressed appreciation that religious and interconfessional relations were stable last year, noting reconstruction began last year on the Saint Mikhail Cathedral, and that "this event is extremely outstanding." Volkov also stressed, "The growth of investment into economics of the Republic was and is the main task of the Government."

Public image and recognition

There has been a long-running conflict between Volkov and "Zolotoya Provintsiya" since his tenure as the parliamentary speaker of Udmertia. Volkov was named 'Man of the Year' in a contest initially billed as 'Sex Symbol of the Year'. The next day, the publication hit the newsstands with a collage featuring the body of Michelangelo’s David fitted with Volkov’s head. Volkov found the image insulting and initiated a challenge that made its way to the Republican Constitutional Court. Zolotaya Provintsiya was charged with pornography, libel and invasion of privacy.

Volkov has been named as a 'Merited Builder' and as a 'Merited Engineer' of the Russian Federation. He was awarded the 'Order of Friendship', a 'Best Russian Manager' diploma, and a diploma as an 'Honoured REA Academician'.

External links

* [http://enc.ex.ru/cgi-bin/n1boss.pl?lang=2&p=1672 Enc.ex.ru] - 'The Government of the Udmurt Republic'
* [http://www.gazprom.ru/eng/news/2004/03/11005.shtml Gazprom.ru] - 'Gazprom's delegation visited machine building compainies in Perm region and Udmurtia' (March 25 2004)
* [http://www.gdf.ru/books/books/silence/06.html GDF.ru] - 'The Mass Media in Udmurtia, Or A Summer Journey to Izhevsk', Alexander Mnatsakanyan
* [http://www.udmurt.ru/en/Official/authorities/president/index.php Udmurt.ru] - Official President's webpage (Udmurt Republic Press Service)