Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted the early resignation of the head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov, reported the Kremlin press service on Friday, May 30. He intends to take part in the elections on September 14, 2014.

“I ask for early resignation in order to participate in the autumn elections for the position of head of the Republic of Bashkortostan,” the press service of the Russian president quotes Khamitov as saying. The head of the republic clarified that according to the plan, the presidential elections in Bashkiria were to take place in 2015.

Putin, in turn, noted the positive dynamics of the region’s development and emphasized that, in his opinion, Khamitov has every chance of winning in both 2014 and 2015. “But if for some reason it is more convenient for you to be elected this year, I have no objection, please,” said the Russian president.

Rustem Khamitov became president of Bashkiria in July 2010. He replaced the resigned Murtaza Rakhimov in this post.

On Thursday, May 29, the Kommersant newspaper, citing informed sources, reported that Rustem Khamitov received permission to hold early elections for the head of the region in 2014. According to the publication's interlocutors, the administration of Rustem Khamitov, who is a member of United Russia, has already held negotiations with a number of political parties, including representatives of the local opposition from A Just Russia, in order to minimize its activity on the eve of the start of the election campaign.

The branch of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation also confirmed to the newspaper that they were informed about the early elections. For this reason, the party delayed the completion of the party conference in order to nominate its candidate at it. At the same time, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation does not hide that it will be agreed upon with the local administration. According to Kommersant, observers also note that the Communist Party of the Russian Federation in Bashkiria can nominate only a technical candidate.

The newspaper notes that the opposing political camp in the region is considered to be the entourage of former Bashkir President Murtaza Rakhimov, who publicly criticizes the current head of the republic. According to Kommersant, Rakhimov has already identified his possible candidates, including the top manager of Olympstroy Khamit Mavliyarov and the deputy head of the Russian Presidential Administration for Domestic Policy Radiy Khabirov.

Putin accepted the early resignation of the head of Bashkiria Khamitov