The extent to which Russians have withdrawn from politics is greatly exaggerated. Most citizens consider direct elections of mayors useful and support their return where they have been abolished.

According to a September poll by the Levada Center, 65% of respondents believe that city mayors, as well as heads of districts and settlements, should be elected in direct elections, 12% support the appointment of the mayor by a selection committee, and another 5% prefer the election of the head of the municipality from among the deputies. In December 2013, 48% of respondents spoke out against the bill limiting direct elections of mayors in large cities, while 21% spoke out in favor.

Local Government: Risks of Municipal Reform

The idea of holding a referendum (simultaneously with the presidential elections) on the adoption of a law on mandatory direct elections of heads of local government is supported by 71% of respondents (against - 8%). If the plebiscite takes place, 56% will vote for the adoption of such a law, 16% have not decided on the answer, 14% do not know how they will vote or doubt their participation, 7% would vote against. Initiative groups to hold a referendum on the restoration of direct elections of mayors have begun work in about 40 regions, says political scientist Alexander Kynev.

The amendments to the law on local self-government adopted in May 2014 allowed governors to have more influence over municipalities, especially in regional centers, and to change the procedure for their formation. The consequence of the adoption of the law was the abolition of direct elections of mayors; they were retained in only nine regional centers out of 80. The rest are governed by mayors elected by deputies, or city managers appointed by competition commissions of local deputies and representatives of regional authorities.

The abolition of direct elections of mayors coincided with the return of gubernatorial elections. This reform created a clear imbalance of powers in favor of regional authorities, whose influence on mayors increased to the detriment of the interests of city residents.

Mayors are abolished

Municipal authorities are deprived of symbolic burdens, they are expected to solve everyday problems, residents are interested in maintaining their influence, notes political scientist Ekaterina Shulman. People are ready to influence the situation and want to keep elections at the grassroots level, they understand that most gubernatorial campaigns are an imitation or a plebiscite, Kynev believes.

The low turnout in some municipal elections does not contradict this: people do not come to polling stations where there is no competition and no hope of changing the situation. People realize that it is impossible to report all minor problems to the president, and they would like them to be resolved rhythmically.

The Kremlin should bring back universal mayoral elections to balance the system of power. The powers and political weight of elected heads of large cities would counterbalance the power of governors. The current periodic repressions and arbitrary replacements of mayors narrow their powers, demoralize them, and deprive them of any initiative, giving rise to the transfer of minor issues to the highest level.

Why do citizens want to elect mayors?