Prevent a split

The head of Khakassia Viktor Zimin explained the refusal to participate in the second round of voting

Acting Governor of Khakassia Viktor Zimin, who on the eve wrote a statement about withdrawing his candidacy in the elections for the head of the region, explained his decision by saying that he did not want to allow a split in the republic.

“The last time I worked under the heaviest pressure. Streams of criticism fell upon the republic and me, we found ourselves in the center of a powerful information campaign, the purpose of which was to change power in Khakassia. During the first round of elections, the people of Khakassia expressed distrust in the course of the government, I understand this, I take full responsibility for the situation in the republic. I do not hold on to power, but I ask you not to take it so that I did not value this position and our Motherland <…> I made a decision. I'm leaving. I'm leaving to prevent a split in Khakassia. I am convinced that no political ambitions should harm the people of the republic,” Zimin said .

Viktor Zimin withdrew his candidacy from the vote for the head of the region, which was to be held on September 23, on Friday, September 21. The second round of voting, which will now take place on October 7, will be attended by the candidate from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Valentin Konovalov and Right-wing Russian Andrei Filyagin, who took third place in the first round.

As a result of voting on September 9 in Khakassia, it was not possible to determine the winner. Communist Party candidate Valentin Konovalov overtook Zimin with 44.81%. 32.42% of voters voted for the acting governor.

It was reported that the Kremlin was waiting for Zimin's resignation before the second round of elections for the head of the region.