The law on forming the new federal structure was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March of last year, following a relative bill based on a December 2003 referendum, was passed by the Russian parliament. Last week, Putin nominated Chirkunov, who then had to be approved for the five-year term by local legislatures.
The Perm Territory, the first of what are being called composite districts, targeted by Russia's authorities, will unify the Perm region and Komi-Permyak, with more than 160,000 square kilometers and a population of about 3 million.
According to media reports, a single legislature for the Perm Territory will be elected in December 2006 and from 2007, the two formerly separate subjects will have a common budget.
