Abramovich to run for seat in Chukotka legislature

ANADYR, July 24 (RIA Novosti) - Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the former governor of the remote Far East region of Chukotka, will run for election to the regional legislature, the businessman's spokesman said Thursday. A by-election will be held on October 12 to replace the chairman of the Chukotka Duma, Vasily Nazarenko, who has announced he will step down due to health concerns. Chukotka governor since 2000, Abramovich, 42, quit his post on July 3. Shortly afterwards, MPs in the regional Duma asked the tycoon to chair the legislature. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev quickly proposed deputy Chukotka governor Roman Koptin to replace Abramovich, and Chukotka lawmakers approved his candidature in a unanimous vote on July 13. On Thursday, Koptin's inauguration took place in the capital, Anadyr. Abramovich, ranked the... [read full story]