SOCHI, March 12 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian opposition Solidarity movement on Thursday nominated former deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov to become mayor of the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Elections for a new mayor will be held on April 26, and all nominations must be received by March 26. Nemtsov, who served as deputy premier from 1997 to 1998, is expected to officially confirm his candidature later on Thursday.
"I need to participate in these elections on behalf of the people of Sochi, and if by some miracle the elections are held honestly, then we have a 100% chance of winning," Nemtsov said during a meeting of the Solidarity movement held in Sochi.
The city will host the Winter Olympics in 2014.
On October 30, 2008, the previous mayor, Vladimir Afanasyenkov, resigned due to health problems.
