Penza, 25 February 2014. PenzaNews. The secretary of the regional branch of the United Russia, the chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Penza region Ivan Belozertsev commented inclusion of the head of Saratov Oleg Grishchenko into a so-called “unofficial list of candidates” who could potentially replace Vasily Bochkarev as a governor.

© PenzaNewsBuy the photo

“We currently have Vasily Bochkarev in place the governor of the Penza region. His work is highly rated. It is more than a year till the end of his term. Maybe he will be re-elected. What is to discuss just yet? Raising this question is even inappropriate. This is all the media, bloggers, and parties trying to undermine the situation, but we won’t shatter here in Penza. We are a team. We work under the direction of the governor for the benefit of the Penza region, and the law here provides for the nationwide elections,” the speaker of the regional parliament pointed out.

“This kind of information appears in all the regions. Why? The governor is performing his duties effectively,” news agency “Vzglyad-Info” quoted Ivan Belozertsev.