Novosibirsk cancels direct municipal elections

The Legislative Assembly of the Novosibirsk region has approved a bill abolishing direct elections for mayors of Novosibirsk and the scientific city of Koltsovo. On this subject informed “Kommersant”.
According to the draft law, in Novosibirsk and Koltsovo, the mayor will be appointed by deputies of the Legislative Assembly from candidates proposed by the competition commission. On February 14, the document was approved by the competent committee of the Legislative Assembly on state policy, legislation and local self-government.
Representatives of United Russia and the Liberal Democratic Party supported the abolition of direct mayoral elections, while the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and the New People opposed it. At first reading, 50 deputies voted in favor of the bill, 13 against and one abstained. In the second reading, the document was supported by 49 deputies, and there were also 13 against, writes Taiga.info.
From now on, the municipal councils of Novosibirsk and Koltsovo must modify the charters of the municipalities.
“Taiga.info” recalls that the cancellation of the elections was initiated by the public chamber of the Novosibirsk region. This proposal was supported by Governor Andrei Travnikov. The co-authors of the bill were representatives of United Russia, the Liberal Democratic Party, the Russian Party of Pensioners for Social Justice and Fatherland. “I see cancellation as a possibility. It is possible. I don’t see any obstacles.” declared Travnikov.
Novosibirsk is led by Anatoly Lokot, first secretary of the Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. In 2014, he defeated Vladimir Znatkov, a representative of United Russia, in the elections.
The next mayoral election was to be held in 2024. “A few years ago, when the elections for heads of municipalities were canceled in the Novosibirsk region [в 2015 году], the suppression of the election of the mayor of the regional center was perceived with hostility. Now is the perfect time to get rid of risk by 2024.” said “Vedomosti” a source close to the administration of the region.