Chechen leader offers Russian deputy prime minister to govern republic

Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov offered Russian ex-Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Surkov to govern the republic, RIA Novosti cites Solidarnost journalist Roman Dobrokhotov.

Kadyrov said that Surkov was a native Chechen.

The Chechen leader has not decided whether to bid for re-election, but expressed confidence that he would get over 90% of votes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Surkov on May 8.