DONETSK, May 15. /ITAR-TASS/. Supreme Council of the newly formed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) elected Denis Pushilin its speaker, DPR press office told ITAR-TASS on Thursday.

Denis Pushilin was born in the town of Makeyevka in the Donetsk region in 1981. After graduating from the Donbass Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, he took up business.

When the Donetsk People’s Republic was proclaimed this April, Pushilin became a government leader.

According to preliminary reports, the council’s session due to be held on May 16 will appoint the cabinet, including its head, and will staff the Supreme Council’s committees as well.

Earlier in the day, Igor Strelkov was appointed chief of the DPR Security Council and its defense minister.

Igor Strelkov, 44, commands self-defense forces of the town of Sloviansk and the Donbass armed forces.

The Supreme Council of the self-proclaimed republic performs duties of the highest executive body.