Mikhail Khodorkovsky is the virtual governor of the new Trans-Baikal Region. This is the result of a poll conducted by the RegNovosti information agency on its website.

Participants were asked: Who, in your opinion, will head the Trans-Baikal Region in 2008? Of those taking part, 40% want to see the post held by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the ex-head of Yukos and inmate of the Chita detention centre. In second place comes the present governor of the Chita Region, Ravil Genatulin, who received 21% of the votes. The last of the three leading contenders is an “outsider” supported by Putin: 14% of votes were cast in his favour.

Almost equally popular among the inhabitants of the future region, with 7% and 6%, respectively, are Bair Zhamsuyev, the current head of the Aginsk-Buryat Autonomous District, and the regions deputy in the Duma Victor Voitenko. The remaining 13% of participants have yet other choices for the post. (The poll was conducted from 24 September to 8 October and 400 people took part.)

The Trans-Baikal Region will be added to the map of Russia on 1 March 2008. The new administrative area appears following a referendum of the inhabitants of the Chita Region and the Aginsk-Buryat Autonomous District who voted in favour of amalgamation on 11 March 2007.

(Regnovosti.ru, 08.10.2007)