Penza, 20 November 2015. PenzaNews. The deputies of the Penza region Legislative Assembly of the fifth convocation have unanimously approved the decision to name Nikolai Simonov the new regional government chairman. The vote took place during the 31st regular session that took place on Friday, November 20.

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All of the 32 deputies present at the session have voted in his favor.

To mark the occasion, Larisa Ryabikhina, acting head of the gubernatorial and Penza region government staff department, recounted the main points of Nikolai Simonov’s biography.

Among the deputies who wanted to speak was Sergei Egorov, vice-rector of the Penza State University, who pointed out that the great experience described by Larisa Ryabikhina is backed by actual decisions.

“The man has gained enormous respect, both on his enterprise – the diesel factory – and amongst us,” said the deputy.

Alexander Gulyakov, principal of the Penza State University, has supported his fellow deputy.

“I have a suggestion. I would like to wish for Nikolai Petrovich [Simonov] to mobilize our technoparks – that have enormous potential – together with our university. […] The candidate is a very worthy one, we’ve been cooperating with him for a long time. This is a good and optimal decision,” he emphasized.

In turn, Yuri Starkin, director of “Nikolsky Khlev,” said he would vote in favor of Nikolai Simonov several times in a row if given an opportunity.

“Firstly, I’m glad to see you back in the region. Secondly, to see you return from ‘the working bench’ and work as the government chairman. Thirdly, that you were my neighbor. And if we disagreed in some points, we drew diagrams, drew out the figures, argued over it. I would like to wish you victories and only victories in your tough office,” he said.

After the vote, Nikolai Simonov received congratulations from Valery Lidin, chairman of the Penza region Legislative Assembly.

“You are a man of great experience,” he stressed, and wished Nikolai Simonov on the new post to successfully achieve all the objectives set for the Penza region government by the head of the region Ivan Belozertsev.