Russian Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu was appointed by the Parliament as the Moscow Region's next governor. 

      Shoigu has headed the Emergencies Ministry, a powerful structure unifying rescuers, fire fighters and also paramilitary units of civil defense for 18 years and was repeatedly named one of the most successful ministers.

      His candidacy was put forward by President Dmitry Medvedev, after previous Moscow region's governor, Boris Gromov, has said he planned to retire after 12 years in the post. Gromov supported Shoigu’s nomination, as well as 46 members of the Parliament. 

      Sergei Shoigu will start his work as a governor on May 11.

      The Moscow Region is the second-most populous of all Russian federal districts and the fourth by gross internal product. Its total area equals that of Switzerland. It is also one of the most problem Russian regions, with widespread corruption, bad roads, ramshackle housing resources and problematic transportation. No wonder, that such emergency situation demands emergency minister. 

Sources: Lenta.ru  Russia Today Image: dni.ru