regional policy

On Tuesday, deputies of the Samara Duma removed Natalya Bobrova, a supporter of Samara Governor Konstantin Titov, from the post of vice-speaker. The resignation was initiated by the parliamentary group "People's Power" in opposition to the regional authorities, whose leader is Samara Mayor Georgy Limansky. Ms. Bobrova herself called her removal a “political reshuffle,” which was the result of an alliance of long-time irreconcilable opponents—the governor and the mayor.

Natalya Bobrova was elected vice-speaker of the Samara Duma in February 2004. It is believed that Governor Titov lobbied for Ms. Bobrova’s candidacy, and only supporters of Mayor Limansky in the regional Duma voted against her confirmation. It was the members of "People's Power", whose unofficial leader is Georgy Limansky, who insisted on including the issue of removing the vice-speaker from office on the agenda. It is interesting that some deputies who were previously considered loyal to the regional government joined them.

“The vice speaker is the face of the Duma. If he changes his position not just once a week, but once a day, what kind of person is he?” — Svetlana Kuzmina, a longtime opponent of the vice speaker, expressed the position of the “People’s Power” group. As an example, she recalled how a year ago Natalya Bobrova argued that Governor Titov’s term of office was five years, and already in the summer she stated that he was elected for four years, and even defended this point of view in the courts. In addition, Ms. Kuzmina accused her opponent of spreading slander about her last fall, preventing her election as mayor of Syzran. At the same time, Ms. Bobrova was reminded that until the spring of 2004 she was a member of the “People's Power” group, and then claimed that she had never been a member of it.

In response, the vice speaker stated that Deputy Kuzmina “wants to illegally obtain an apartment,” but Ms. Bobrova “as the chairman of the housing commission” will not agree with this. Natalya Bobrova called the mayor of Samara “the mastermind of the question of displacement,” suggesting that “some kind of political castling is taking place, the outcome of which is a foregone conclusion.” 13 out of 23 deputies voted for the resignation of the vice speaker. Until the next meeting, the chair of the vice speaker will remain vacant. According to Kommersant's information, deputies Anatoly Stepanov and Nikolai Skobeev, who have already held this position, as well as the ex-mayor of Syzran, a longtime ally of the governor Vasily Yanin, can apply for it.

“The main reason for what happened here is my independence,” Natalya Bobrova told Kommersant. “They wanted to push me under their thumb. They couldn’t.” She suggested that on the issue of resignation, “Georgy Sergeevich Limansky agreed with Konstantin Alekseevich Titov.” “This is a big political game. Two political opponents shook hands, and everything crossed on me. I’m proud of it. I’m a femme fatale,” says Ms. Bobrova.

Governor Titov denied his involvement in the resignation: “Perhaps it is a female character trait to look for someone to blame for one’s failures? I have never interfered in the affairs of municipalities or legislative assemblies.” Georgy Limansky named the main reason for the resignation as the “incorrect situation” that arose a year ago “during the election of Bobrova, when Nikolai Skobeev was removed.” Then Mr. Skobeev was removed from the post of vice-speaker due to the fact that his predecessor Anatoly Stepanov was restored to this position by the court. However, in the end, Natalya Bobrova was elected vice-speaker. “Today the group confirmed its point of view: it should not have been elected vice speaker,” said Mr. Limansky.

Meanwhile, most local analysts share the point of view of Natalya Bobrova. They note that in the summer, Konstantin Titov actually used the vice speaker, seeking early elections for the head of the region, which he most likely would have won. Now that the popular elections have been cancelled, he sacrificed Mrs. Bobrova for the sake of an alliance with Georgy Limansky. The term of office of the governor expires in July, and the mayor of Samara expires a year later. Observers believe that the governor would not be hurt by the support of Mr. Limansky’s supporters in the regional Duma if Vladimir Putin introduces Konstantin Titov’s candidacy to parliament for approval for the post of head of the region. And he, in turn, can help Mayor Limansky, who is now being recalled from office.

By the way, these two politicians already agreed on joint actions in 2000. As a result, with mutual support, both were able to be re-elected.

LILYA-ABDULLINA, Samara

The mayor and the governor united against the woman