Valentina Matvienko (Tyutina), ex-governor of St. Petersburg, close ally of Russian PM Vladimir Putin, elected as a Spokeswomen of Russian Federation's Council. 140 senators uphold this decision, one against.

She is a first woman in Russian Federation who holds such high position in a government. Ms Matviyenko is Russia's highest appointed stateswoman since Catherine the Great, who was empress of Russia in the 18th Century.

Her predecessor, Sergey Mironov, who had hold this position during 10 years till May 18, was called off from his duties under the decision of Petersburg Council

In August Valentina Matviyenko has won a seat in Russia's upper house of parliament, the Federation Council. But opponents denounced her victory - with more than 95% of the vote - as fraudulent. Opposition observers claimed to have witnessed ballot-stuffing during the vote in two municipalities of St Petersburg. "This is a 100% fraud, not a vote," said opposition leader Boris Nemtsov on his blog.

Ms Matviyenko has been governor of St Petersburg, Russia's second city, since 2003.The city is where both Mr Putin and Mr Medvedev come from.