Russia's Abramovich seeks election in Arctic region

By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has decided to run for election to the local council of a desolate Arctic region just weeks after resigning as governor.

Abramovich, the 41-year-old owner of Britain's Chelsea soccer club, quit as governor of Far Eastern region of Chukotka earlier this month after lavishing millions on the impoverished province, where reindeer herding is the main source of income.

But locals in the icy expanses near to Alaska have implored Abramovich not to abandon them with the current council speaker even stepping aside to make way for him.

Abramovich told council members on Thursday he had accepted their proposal to run, Chukotka's local administration said in a statement.

"He has accepted a request by the people of Chukotka to run for the regional Duma," said Abramovich's spokesman, John Mann.

"The fact that many of the region's public organizations requested that he should run indicates he has broad support," Mann said. The election will take place in October.

Why Abramovich, a jet-setting Russian with a penchant for luxury yachts, is so interested in a region 15-hours flight from Moscow has been the source of constant speculation since he was elected governor in 2000.

Some analysts have said it was part of a deal with former President Vladimir Putin to give some of his billions back to society.