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Sobyanin assumes office of Moscow mayor

The ceremony took place on Poklonnaya Hill downtown Moscow

Mosvka 24 still

Mosvka 24 still

MOSCOW, September 12 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday wished Moscow mayor Sergei Sobanin success in his work.

Sergei Sobyanin, who won the mayoral elections in Moscow last Sunday, has been sworn in as Moscow’s new mayor.

The inauguration took place in the Hall of Glory at the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War on Poklonnaya Hill.

After the national anthem of Russia had been played, Valentin Gorbunov, the chairman of the Moscow City Election Committee, gave Sergei Sobyanin a certificate proving the latter’s election as mayor.

Sobyanin took an oath and put his signature under its text.

“Let me congratulate you on your inauguration as the mayor of the Russian capital, the Moscow mayor. I genuinely wish you success in your work for the sake of Muscovites and the whole country,” Putin, who attended the inauguration ceremony, told Sobyanin.

At the ceremony, Russian President also said that Sunday’s mayoral elections in Moscow demonstrated true liberty, possibility to form power in a civilized way rather than through various kinds of destructive actions.

On Tuesday, the Moscow City Election Committee has officially approved the results of mayoral election held September 8, at which Sobyanin gained 51.37% of votes. After the committee’s session a notice was sent to Sobyanin informing him on his election as mayor. Election data results have been handed to media for publication.

Ealier on Thursday, the headquarters of defeated candidate for mayor's office Alexey Navalny filed lawsuits to the Moscow city court on Thursday, demanding to invalidate the results of the election of the Moscow mayor. However, the Moscow City Court rejected to suspend Sergei Sobyanin from assuming the mayoral position.

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