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Putin accepts resignation of Mari El Republic's head

The chairman of the Moscow region’s arbitrary court, Alexander Yevstifeyev, has been appointed as acting head of the republic in the east of Russia’s European part

Leonid Markelov Alexei Druzhinin/Russian presidential service/TASS

Leonid Markelov

© Alexei Druzhinin/Russian presidential service/TASS

MOSCOW, April 6. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to relive of his duties as head of the Mari El Republic Leonid Markelov following his request.

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The chairman of the Moscow region’s arbitrary court and president’s former deputy envoy to the Volga Federal District, Alexander Yevstifeyev, has been appointed as acting head of the republic in the east of Russia’s European part.

Under the decree, "in connection with a statement from the head of Mari El Republic, Leonid Markelov, asking for an early termination of office," President Putin ruled "to accept his resignation at his own request". Alexander Yevstifeyev was appointed as acting head of the republic until the elected head of the republic assumes office. The decree comes into effect on the day of its signing.

Prior to that, Putin met at the Kremlin with Yevstifeyev, who had also dealt with Mari El Republic as deputy envoy to the Volga Federal District. Yevstifeyev hailed republic’s potentials on the whole, regretting, however, that they are not fully used. "Much still has to be done," he said, siting potentials of arable lands, problems with education of the youth as well as modest salaries.

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