Federation Council leadership may change - Matviyenko
MOSCOW. Sept 8 (Interfax) - Changes may occur in the leadership of the Federation Council after new senators join the upper chamber of the Russian parliament following the upcoming local elections, Federation Council speaker Valentina Matviyenko said in an interview with the Izvestia daily.
"Since we will undergo considerable refreshment, 20 new senators will join us, the leadership of the Federation Council may also undergo changes. This is normal. In one word, there will be changes and the chamber will decide on them," Matviyenko said, answering a question about the role of 'political heavyweights', who may become senators after the elections, in the chamber's life.
Ex-head of the presidential administration's domestic policy department Oleg Morozov, ex-Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fyodorov, ex-RZD chief Vladimir Yakunin and SCO Secretary General Dmitry Mezentsev may become senators in the wake of local elections in Russia slated for September 13, the daily said.
Speaking about the possible appointment of Yakunin as Federation Council deputy speaker, Matviyenko said that she "has yet to meet with Vladimir [Yakunin]." "I would like to hear from him in what capacity he sees himself in the Federation Council. He is a very famous and experienced person. The chamber itself will decide on the position he will take," she said.
"Relevant consultations and meetings will take place after the Federation Council is fully staffed. This will not happen right after September 13 as various regions have their own charters and terms of assumption of office by a new governor who will nominate their representative to the Federation Council. This is why we have time to think [things] over and weigh everything up. I would like to hear the opinion of all senators," she said.
Matviyenko also gave a positive assessment to the institution of the presidential quota in the Federation Council. "The representation of federal authorities in the upper chamber is needed. This is needed to keep balance. We gave the right to the president to appoint senators, and he is the only person who can make a decision on when it is appropriate to do so and who will become his representatives in the chamber," she said.
