Updated 06:20 p.m. Moscow time
MOSCOW, September 17 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin named his candidates to the posts of the head of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, the Kremlin press service said Wednesday.
The nominations, three for each region, include acting head of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov and acting Sevastopol Governor Sergei Menyailo,
The new heads of Crimea and Sevastopol, which is considered a separate administrative entity, will be elected by legislatures of their respective regions.
On September 14, the citizens of the two new Russian regions of Crimea and Sevastopol were electing their parliaments and all the local authorities. Crimea and Sevastopol regions participated in the single voting day for the first time.
Crimea reunified with Russia in March following a referendum on the region"s status, with 96 percent of the voters being in favor of reunification. The West refused to recognize the results of the vote calling it illegal. Russian President Vladimir Putin in a speech following the referendum stressed that it was held in full compliance with democratic procedures and rules of international law.
