Updated 12:03 p.m. Moscow Time
SIMFEROPOL, October 9 (RIA Novosti) - The regional legislature of Crimea on Thursday unanimously voted to appoint Sergei Aksyonov, who has headed Crimea since April, as the region's formal chief.
Aksyonov took oath minutes after all 75 members of the Crimean State Council voted in support of his candidacy.
Aksyonov will also hold the position of chairman of the republic's Council of Ministers, as according to the Crimean constitution, he can simultaneously hold both offices.
Aksyonov was born on November 26, 1972, in the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic. In 2008 he joined the Russian Community of Crimea and the Civic Asset of Crimea. Since 2010, he has been a deputy of Crimea's Supreme Council. In 2014 he was appointed chairman of the republic's Council of Ministers. Since April 14, he was the acting chief of Crimea.
Crimea reunified with Russia in March following a referendum on the region's status, with 96 percent of the voters being in favor of the move. The West has refused to recognize the results of the vote, calling it illegal. Russian President Vladimir Putin in a speech following the referendum stressed that it was held in full compliance with democratic procedures and rules of international law.
