Alexander Alexandrovich Volkov (politician)

47
Alexander Alexandrovich Volkov (politician) bigraphy, stories - Russian politician

Alexander Alexandrovich Volkov (politician) : biography

December 25, 1951 –

Alexander Alexandrovich Volkov (Udmurt and ; born December 25, 1951 in Bryansk) is the President of the Udmurt Republic, located in the heart of Russia between the Kama and Vyatka Rivers. As President, Volkov is the highest official in the Udmurt Republic, the head of the republic’s highest executive body, and leader of its two million citizens. Volkov took office November 3, 2000, for a five-year term after the first presidential elections in the Udmurt Republic took place on October 15, 2000. Prior to the elections, Volkov was the speaker of the Udmurtia Republican Legislature.

Personal life

Born into a large worker’s family, President Volkov graduated from a technical school and then worked as a foreman, chief engineer, and head of a construction department while studying at the Polytechnic Institute.

Volkov is an experienced and flexible regional politician whose 2000 election as President of the Udmurt Republic was "not exactly a birthday present for the Kremlin," according to political consultant Igor Mintoussov.

The danger of terrorism is the main concern of many among Volkov’s constituents, especially for the 600,000 residents of Izhevsk, where Volkov occupies a palace and where Russia’s oldest armaments factory is located, about 1,300 km east of Moscow. Surrounding rural regions are relatively impoverished and are said to turn to Volkov and the Udmurtia Legislature for support.

Along with Udmurt technical experts, Volkov has been negotiating with Gazprom, Russia’s largest natural gas extractor, in collaborative efforts to develop the region’s gas supply system and establishing a centralized gas distribution company.

In President Volkov’s most recent State of the Union address, he expressed appreciation that religious and interconfessional relations were stable last year, noting reconstruction began last year on the Saint Mikhail Cathedral, and that "this event is extremely outstanding." Volkov also stressed, "The growth of investment into economics of the Republic was and is the main task of the Government."

Public image

There has been a long-running conflict between Volkov and Zolotoya Provintsiya since his tenure as the parliamentary speaker of Udmurtia. Volkov was named ‘Man of the Year’ in a contest initially billed as ‘Sex Symbol of the Year’. The next day, the publication hit the newsstands with a collage featuring the body of Michelangelo’s David fitted with Volkov’s head. Volkov found the image insulting and initiated a challenge that made its way to the Republican Constitutional Court. Zolotaya Provintsiya was charged with pornography, libel and invasion of privacy.

Honours and awards

  • Order of Merit for the Fatherland 3rd class
  • Order of Merit for the Fatherland 4th class
  • Order of Friendship
  • Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow"
  • Medal "In Commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg"
  • Honoured Builder of the Russian Federation
  • Honoured Engineer of the Russian Federation

Personal life

Volkov is married to Nina Volkova and he has two children. Volkov is also the grandfather of four children. His son, Andrey, is a notable alumni from the Izhevsk State Technical University, and his daughter, Vera is an attorney. His hobbies are football, fishing, skiing, tennis, and spending some time helping out in the garden. Volkov is notably a very experienced musician, as he can play the accordion. When on holiday, Volkov usually goes to Bryansk to meet his family. Volkov is fluent in Russian and can speak some English.