KRASNOYARSK, June 4 (RIA Novosti) - Governor Alexander Khloponin was inaugurated Monday for the second term in the Krasnoyarsk Territory in central Siberia.
Under a 2004 law canceling gubernatorial elections and giving the president the right to nominate candidates, President Vladimir Putin nominated Khloponin, 42, for the post May 22. Local legislators approved his candidacy by 42 votes, with eight parliamentarians against, earlier Monday.
"This is my third inauguration," Khloponin said. "Local residents have bestowed a great share of confidence on me. Together we will attain the goals we have set."
Khloponin became governor of the Taimyr Autonomous Area in northern Siberia in 2001, and headed the Krasnoyarsk Territory in 2002.
His gubernatorial office was to expire next fall. However, local legislators, who stood for elections this spring, had to vote for a new governor after the Krasnoyarsk Territory incorporated the Taimyr and the Evenki autonomous areas January 1, 2007.
The united territory has an area of about 2.34 million square meters and a population of some three million.
Khloponin will reportedly become Russia's first governor of an enlarged territory.
