Ilyumzhinov wants to stay in Kalmykia after retirement

After leaving the post of the head of Kalmykia, which he has been occupying for 17 years, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov plans to get engaged in social-charitable projects and preparation of Dalai Lama's visit to the republic, he said today at a press conference.

Let us remind you that the "United Russia" has drafted a list of four candidates to the post of head of Kalmykia to be presented to Russian President Dmitri Medvedev. The list has Kirsan Ilyumzhinov missing, who had earlier asked the Party to cross him out of the list of candidates for the next presidential term.

Mr Ilyumzhinov said today that he will continue "chess advocacy trying to keep Elista, the Kalmyk capital, as the centre of chess development." He also plans to complete the Orthodox temple of great martyr Panteleimon and "organize Dalai Lama's pastorly visit to Kalmykia," the ITAR-TASS reports.

Besides, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has urged the public not to be afraid openly speaking about contacts with extraterrestrials. "I'm not the only politician who spoke about it. I act purposefully that other people, editions and journalists start speaking openly," he said.

The list of candidates to be presented to President Medvedev lists the names of Alexander Dorzhdeyev, vice-governor of the Volgograd Region; Anatoly Kozachko, chairman of the National Hural (parliament) of the Republic of Kalmykia (the only Russian among the candidates); Alexei Orlov, first vice-chairman of Kalmyk Government; and Bembei Khulkhachiev, deputy head of the Federal Service for Financial Markets.

As written by the "Gazeta.Ru" with reference to a source close to "Edinaya Rossiya", Alexander Dorzhdeyev, former Prime Minister of Kalmykia (in 1999-2003), is the favourite of the campaign.