Matviyenko backed as upper house speaker

Members of Russia’s Federation Council unanimously backed Valentina Matviyenko as the upper house speaker during the voting by secret ballot today.

All 154 senators, who took part in the plenary meeting, voted in favor of Matviyenko, who has been the Federation Council’s speaker since 2011. A proposal to nominate her was put forward by First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Nikolai Fedorov, TASS reported.

Senator Nikolai Ryzhkov, who suggested re-electing Matviyenko, praised the years of her work as the fourth upper house speaker over the past 25 years.

"Under Valentina Matvienko’s leadership, the chamber has become completely different. Although people criticize, they are well aware that today the chamber has become influential. Over the years, we have started working differently. Now questions are being worked out deeply and the authority of the committees has greatly increased," Ryzhkov said, praising Matviyenko’s activity.

On September 18, St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov signed a decree to delegate Matviyenko to the Federation Council as representative for the city government. Matviyenko has been Chairwoman of the Federation Council since 2011. Previously, she was St. Petersburg governor (in 2003-2011). In October 2014, she was re-elected as the upper house speaker.