Alexander Beglov

Alexander Beglov
Name	Alexander Beglov
Caption	Beglov in 2020
Office	Governor of Saint Petersburg
Term start	3 October 2018
Predecessor	Georgy Poltavchenko
Birth date	19 May 1956
Birth place	Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union
Party	United Russia
Alma mater	Moscow State University of Railway Engineering
Spouse	Natalya Beglova

Alexander Beglov is a Russian politician and former law enforcement official who has served as the Governor of Saint Petersburg since 2018. A member of the ruling United Russia party, his career spans decades in federal administrative and security roles, including significant positions within the Presidential Administration of Russia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. His tenure in Saint Petersburg has been marked by large-scale urban development projects and navigating the political and economic challenges facing Russia's second-largest city.

Early life and education

Alexander Beglov was born on 19 May 1956 in Baku, then the capital of the Azerbaijan SSR within the Soviet Union. He completed his secondary education before moving to Moscow for higher studies. In 1979, he graduated from the Moscow State University of Railway Engineering, obtaining a degree in engineering. Following his graduation, he began his professional life working in the Soviet railway system, gaining early experience in large-scale industrial management and logistics. This technical background preceded his later shift into state security and administrative roles.

Career in law enforcement

Beglov's career in law enforcement and state security began in the late Soviet period. He joined the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), where he steadily rose through the ranks. In the 1990s, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, he held various positions within the MVD system. His work attracted the attention of federal authorities, leading to his appointment to the Presidential Administration of Russia under President Boris Yeltsin. He served as an aide to the Head of the Presidential Administration, involved in administrative oversight and liaison with security structures. This period cemented his connections within the core of Russian federal government.

Political career

Beglov's transition into overt political roles accelerated in the early 2000s. From 2004 to 2008, he served as the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Central Federal District, a key supervisory role over a vast and politically crucial region including Moscow. He was then appointed Deputy Head of the Government Staff of Russia under Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. In 2012, he returned to Saint Petersburg as the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Northwestern Federal District, a position giving him broad authority over several federal subjects. He also served as Secretary of the State Council of the Russian Federation, further integrating him into the highest echelons of the Russian political system.

Governor of Saint Petersburg

Alexander Beglov was appointed Acting Governor of Saint Petersburg by decree of President Vladimir Putin in October 2018, following the resignation of Georgy Poltavchenko. He subsequently won the 2019 Saint Petersburg gubernatorial election as the candidate for United Russia. His governorship has focused on major infrastructure and renovation projects, including the controversial redevelopment of the city's historic Kupchino district and expansions to the Saint Petersburg Metro. He has overseen preparations for and the aftermath of major events like the 2023 Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. His administration has also dealt with significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia and the economic repercussions following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, Beglov has received numerous state awards and honors. These include the Order of Honour, the Order of Friendship, and the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (IV class). He has also been awarded various medals from the Ministry of Internal Affairs for his service, such as the Medal "For Impeccable Service" and the Medal "200 Years of the MVD". Additionally, he holds the honorary title of Honoured Lawyer of the Russian Federation.

Personal life

Alexander Beglov is married to Natalya Beglova, and the couple has two children. He maintains a relatively private personal life, with few details publicly disclosed. He is a member of the Russian Orthodox Church and has participated in public events with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. Beglov is known to have an interest in history, particularly related to Saint Petersburg and Imperial Russia.

Category:1956 births Category:Governors of Saint Petersburg Category:United Russia politicians Category:Recipients of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 4th class