Zubkov to head Gazprom after he steps down as PM

Moscow, Apr 30 (UNI) Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov has said he could head Gazprom's board of directors after he steps down as Prime Minister, early next month.

''My name has been included in the list of candidates for Gazprom Management Committee members,'' Mr Zubkov told reporters in The Hague yesterday . He said the vote could take place in June.

The chairman of the Gazprom board of directors is elected from among the Committee members. The gas monopoly is expected to hold an annual shareholders meeting on June 27.

Mr Zubkov is expected to step down after outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin takes over as Prime Minister on May 8, following the swearing-in of the President-elect Dmitry Medvedev on May 7.

Medvedev, who currently chairs the Gazprom board of directors, will leave the post after his inauguration as President. Gazprom approved 19 candidates as new board members, including Russian Economics Minister Elvira Nabiullina, in February. There are 11 members on the board, including six government officials.

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