moscow

The Russian Academy of Sciences is, like its headquarters building in Moscow (above) being given a facelift. In addition to filling more than 100 ‘natural’ vacancies resulting from the deaths of former members over the past three years in elections last week, the government had provided money for 50 additional full members younger than 55, and 100 new corresponding members younger than 50.

But, partly as a result of the controversy created by this move — some members had argued that scientific achievement should be the sole factor — not all the vacancies were filled. Only 61 new full members (including 16 ‘young’) and 189 corresponding members (83 ‘young’) were elected.

Further controversy was created by some political figures seeking election. Those successful included Mikhail Kirpichnikov, who heads the cabinet's department of science and education and who, it is said, was responsible for the government's decision to help ‘young’ scientists (like himself) to be elected to the academy.

Others appointed to full membership included Viktor Mokhailov, the minister for atomic energy, and Viktor Sadovnichy, the rector of Moscow University. But Andrey Kokoshin, first deputy minister of defence, failed to win sufficient support, even though he was the only candidate for the vacancy.

Other political figures who failed to be elected included Alexander Shokhin, deputy speaker of the State Duma (Russian parliament), Alexey Egorov, deputy minister of science and technology, and three active politicians, Sergey Glaziev, Alexander Arbatov and Viktor Shevelukha.

Among those elected was Alexander Solzhenitsin, the writer and former dissident, who was recognized for his contributions to the enrichment of the Russian language.