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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Elections in Donetsk, Lugansk republics open new page in history of Donbass - Russian MP

DONETSK, November 2. /TASS/. The elections of heads and parliamentarians in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics are opening a new page in the history of Donbass, chairman of Russia’s State Duma (lower house) Committee for the CIS Affairs Leonid Slutsky said on Sunday.

Slutsky arrived in Donbass as a representative of his party.

“The elections have been well organised. Despite the situation in the region, people are going to polling stations with joy. They understand that they are opening a new page in the history of Donbass by their own hands,” he said.

The Russian parliamentarian noted the high turnout.

The Donetsk People’s Republic incumbent leader, Prime Minister Alexander Zakharchenko, first deputy chairman of Novorossiya’s parliament Alexander Kofman and lawmaker of the Supreme Council, veteran of special police force Berkut Yuri Sivokonenko are running for the post of Donetsk republic’s head.

The movements, “Donetsk Republic” led by Zakharchenko and “Free Donbass” led by public figure Yevgeny Orlov will vie for seats in the People’s Council (parliament).

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Eastern Ukraine

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