Last week Perm’s media largely focused on the cultural sphere. This interest was ignited by the provocative interview given by the famous writer Aleksey Ivanov. Vice Prime Minister of Russia Igor Sechin commented on the possible merge of potassium producers. LUKoil refuted rumors of Vagit Alekperov’s resignation. Find out more in the weekly expert report by FederalPress.
Last week Perm’s media largely focused on the cultural sphere. This interest was ignited by the provocative interview given by the famous writer Aleksey Ivanov. Vice Prime Minister of Russia Igor Sechin commented on the possible merge of potassium producers. LUKoil refuted rumors of Vagit Alekperov’s resignation. Find out more in the weekly expert report by FederalPress.
Cultural revolution
Perm’s famous book writer Aleksey Ivanov commented on the so-called cultural revolution in Perm. An interview with the writer has been largely quoted in various mass media and Internet blogs.
According to Aleksey Ivanov, there are two components in the conflict. One is confrontation between Moscow and the rest of Russia, “I resume that the capital and province must be equally significant as cultural projects. Otherwise, we are not a federation, but Moscow and aborigines”.
The second component of the conflict concerns politics and business. “Power seeking project “Cultural Alliance”. It was created by Vladislav Surkov and Marat Gelman”, Ivanov says.
Vladislav Surkov is the first deputy head of the President’s administration now working in alliance with contemporary art gallery owner Marat Gelman.
The writer’s understanding of the process is that a new unified ideology of art is being imposed in all regions at the expense of local budgets.
Night club case
The last person who is accused in causing fire in Perm’s night club “Khromaya Loshad” was taken in by Spanish police. The man was put on the wanted list over a week ago. Now he is to spend 20 days in prison in Spain until Russian militia provides necessary papers to transport him to Perm Region.
Budgeting
Regional government of Perm suggested draft budget for 2011 to the Regional Duma preterm. Budget earnings are expected to make 51.3 billion rubles, which is 20 billion rubles less than in economically successful 2008. Nonetheless, expenses will not be sequestered. 12 percent budget deficit will be covered by long-term loans.
At the same time, budget expenses in the cultural sphere will be 14 percent more than this year estimating 1.5 billion rubles total.
Emergency in Berezniki
120 meter long smoke pipe fell down in Berezniki, Perm Region. No damage to nearby facilities was made. The pipe was built in 1959 and has got recent technical certificate of reliable service until 2013. Special commission made up by professionals of Berezniki thermoelectric power station TEC-2, TGK-9 JSC, Rostekhnadzor and ministry of emergencies will conduct an investigation of the case.
Large merger
Vice-chairman of the Russian government Igor Sechin supports the merger of mineral fertilizers producers UralKali and Silvinit. Igor Sechin supervises raw materials sector in the government. His opinion was largely cited in media last week.
UralKali and Silvinit are currently controlled by Suleiman Kerimov. When both companies officially merge, the board of directors might be headed by Alexander Voloshin who used to work in the same position in Nornickel. This fact gave rise to rumours about Kerimov plans to create a raw materials giant incorporating Nornickel as its part.
Meanwhile, Igor Sechin commented, he “sees no sense in uniting with Norilsk Nickel”. He also said that no offers on the part of the said businessman were made for the government’s participation in the process.
No changes in LUKoil
LUKoil refuted rumors of possible changes in its governance team.
Mass media wrote much about possible resignation of LUKoil’s current president Vagit Alekperov and about replacing him by Andrey Kuzyaev.
August 30, 2010 LUKoil published an official statement refuting this information.