United Russia
MOSCOW. Oct 21 (Interfax) - State Duma Speaker and chairman of the United Russia party's Supreme Council Boris Gryzlov said Duma Vice Speaker and secretary of the Presidium of the party's Genera Council Vyacheslav Volodin may be appointed as federal government chief of staff - the post that has been vacant in connection with Sergei Sobyanin's nomination for Moscow mayor.
"Volodin's candidacy is one of several nominations for this post," Gryzlov told journalists on Thursday in response to a question from Interfax.
Gryzlov did not elaborate, saying only that it would be incorrect to comment on the new appointment, because Sobyanin's confirmation as Moscow mayor will be debated by the Moscow legislature in an hour.
Reports circulated on Wednesday, citing a source in the United Russia party, that Volodin may fill the post of government chief of staff.