Head of the Don Parliament A.V. Popov: Touches to a Political Portrait

This article presents a biographical sketch of the activities of the famous Rostov politician Alexander Vasilyevich Popov (born 1947). His career began at the industrial enterprises of the region, followed by many years of work in the party structures of the CPSU (1974-1991). The focus of attention were issues of industrial, transport economy, problems of mining territories. The key milestones of A.V. Popov's biography fell during a difficult period of deep transformation in the socio-economic and political spheres. He managed to make a significant contribution to the formation and organization of the work of representative bodies of regional government on the Don as the head of the regional Council of People's Deputies (1991-1994) and the Legislative Assembly of the Rostov region (1994-2007). Due to his flexibility in decision-making and moderation of views, the stable political situation remained in the region, centrifugal forces did not significantly develop in the region moods and destructive tendencies. Working in tandem with the Governor V.F. Chub ensured the transition to new socio-economic conditions, and the politician himself was able to maintain the position of head of the regional parliament for 16 years (1991-2007) in a changing situation. The article uses archival sources introduced into scientific circulation for the first time, as well as data from personal conversations with participants in the events. The author uses a historical and biographical research method.