Sergei Sobyanin takes office as Moscow Mayor

Sergei Sobyanin took office as Moscow Mayor at the inauguration ceremony, which was held in the Concert Hall in Zaryadye Park.

Olga Kirillova, Chairwoman of the Moscow City Election Commission, awarded Sergei Sobyanin a certificate of election and the Moscow Mayor badge — a medallion necklace featuring St. George the Victorious slaying a snake with a spear, who is the city’s patron.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Sergei Sobyanin on his assumption of office. “In the last elections, more than 75 per cent of votes were cast for you. Such a high level of trust convincingly proves the broad support of Muscovites, their approval of your initiatives, plans and, most importantly, first and foremost, the results of your work,” the President of Russia emphasized.

One of the main achievements in recent years has been the breakthrough modernization of the transport system, including the development of public transport, he said. The municipality takes systematic efforts to create a comfortable environment, doing their best to enable work, innovation, creativity and leisure for residents. Today Moscow is significantly ahead of many world capitals.

“Moscow is strengthening its position as a powerful scientific and industrial center of Russia. It is driving industries of the future, including robotics, instrument engineering, and production of new materials. Schools, clinics and hospitals are getting modernized. Positive changes are also being actively introduced throughout the social sphere. Particular attention is paid to supporting people of older generations and, of course, our heroes, defenders of Russia,” Vladimir Putin said.

The Moscow Mayor’s office in fact has built an effective framework to cooperate with the Russian Government and federal authorities. Moscow’s best practices are being scaled up to boost comprehensive development of other Russian regions.

“The capital, and this is its special role, sets practices and standards that are always inspiring and useful for all territories of our country,” said the President of Russia. “I am confident that the management team of our capital will only move forward, concentrating efforts on the most important areas, successfully implementing new ideas and solutions and making a significant contribution to the achievement of common national development goals”.

Sergei Sobyanin thanked Vladimir Putin and Muscovites for their high appreciation of his work: “This is an evaluation of the great job we’ve done together, the changes that have taken place and are taking place in our city”.

He promised to stay strong in the pursuit of the goals and continue the development of the capital to make it comfortable for every resident.

“The city is a reality that we, together with you, must change for the better. To make us proud of our city, to love our city, because this is our destiny, because this is our Moscow, because this is our capital,” concluded Sergei Sobyanin.