Volkov took office November 3, 2000, for a five-year term after the first presidential elections in the Udmurt Republic took place on October 15, 2000.

Born into a worker's large family, Alexander Volkov graduated from a technical school and then worked as a foreman, chief engineer, and head of a construction department while studying at the Polytechnic Institute.

Volkov was an experienced and flexible regional politician whose 2000 election as President of the Udmurt Republic was "not exactly a birthday present for the Kremlin," according to political consultant Igor Mintoussov.

The next day, the publication hit the newsstands with a collage featuring the body of Michelangelo's David fitted with Volkov's head.

His son, Andrey, is a notable alumni from the Izhevsk State Technical University, and his daughter, Vera is an attorney.