Date
Author
Александр МАКАРОВ; Красноярск
Source
Preserved copy
Translated material
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The fight for the governor's seat has begun in Krasnoyarsk
The Legislative Assembly of the Krasnoyarsk Territory yesterday was unable to set a date for the election of a new head of the regional administration. Two proposals were made: the first was to hold elections at the end of the summer, the second was to schedule them for October 6. After a short discussion, it became clear that none of them would get the required number of votes, so the deputies decided to consider this issue again on May 13.Representatives of the recently united anti-governor opposition entered the fight. The largest faction, led by the speaker of the regional parliament, Alexander Uss, insists on holding elections earlier. Today, Mr. Uss is the first contender for the vacant seat of the Krasnoyarsk governor. If the vote had taken place next Sunday, he would almost certainly have won the election.
But the speaker of the regional parliament has a serious problem. Last December, his voting bloc won the elections to the legislative assembly thanks to unbridled criticism of Alexander Lebed. This turned out to be such an effective technology that all this time the speaker and his associates fought with the governor. There is no one to fight with now. So the sooner the elections take place, the greater the chances of Alexander Uss becoming governor.
The speaker's opponents were recent allies. Representatives of the Northern Party intend to delay the election until the last possible opportunity and propose voting on October 6. In accordance with the charter of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, elections should take place no earlier than three months, but no later than 180 days after the death of the governor.
The candidate from the “northerners” is considered to be the governor of the Taimyr Autonomous Okrug, Alexander Khloponin. In order to win the elections, he needs to change public opinion in the region. At the beginning of the year, the Taimyr authorities made an attempt to reassign the Norilsk industrial region to themselves. Last year, the regional budget received about 70% of its revenue from this territory. Naturally, Krasnoyarsk residents do not want to give up the goose that lays the golden eggs, and therefore are very wary of the desire of the energetic Taimyr governor to become the head of the region. Alexander Khloponin will have to change his image before the elections from a representative of the interests of the “northern territories” to a defender of “general Krasnoyarsk values.”
Supporters of the former governor also stand in solidarity with the northerners. After Nikolai Ashlapov, currently acting head of the regional administration, publicly refused to participate in the elections, they do not have their own candidate for the post of governor. “I will change my decision only on one condition: if the president calls me and says ‘I need help,’” said Nikolai Ashlapov. He intends to fully concentrate on solving current problems: the sowing campaign, northern deliveries and paying off wage debts. Such a categorical position of the acting has caused confusion among politicians loyal to the regional administration, and they also need time to find a suitable candidate or reach an agreement with one of the main candidates.
However, the federal government can spoil all the plans. In journalistic circles there is now a rumor being actively discussed (so far, however, not confirmed by anyone) that the center intends to “put the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations Sergei Shoigu on the edge.”