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YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin suggested that Moscow Mayor
Yuri Luzhkov may face political persecutions after his dismissal.
Sergei Mitrokhin noted that the law enforcement may get interested
in Luzhkov’s activities soon after his dismissal.
According to Mitrokhin, the fate of the dismissed mayor is
an “unpredictable thing”. "In our country the traditions
of finding a scapegoat are very strong. If one gets out of
favour in politics he should be on the guard until the end,”
Mitrokhin explained.
Mitrokhin also said that Luzhkov should expect the "whole
bunch of fun." "If one gets up steam, one can get
into trouble up to imprisonment. It can happen to Yuri Luzhkov,"
he added.
"I can not rule out that he might try to act as an oppositional
political force, but there are serious doubts that he would
do it," Mitrokhin said.
"If he starts the same political Fronde, he may find
himself in the same situation as Mikhail Khodorkovsky. I think
that Luzhkov realizes this and it is very unlikely that he
may choose such a way,” he added.
Speaking about the new Mayor of Moscow, Mitrokhin expressed
his fears that he would "not differ much for the better"
from Luzhkov. "Some things may even get worse,"
he noted.
In particular, Mitrokhin pointed out that the [attitude]
of the new head of Moscow to the [much disputed] General Plan
of Moscow Development will become the moment of truth. The
politician also stressed that this document was abundant of
negative trends, such as in-fill construction of the city,
its chaotic development and even worse traffic jams. "The
attitude of the new Mayor to the General Plan will become
a serious criterion. If he sends the Plan back for revision,
this will indicate a recovery symptom, but if not, this will
mean that it will be even worse,” Mitrokhin said.
In addition, YABLOKO’s leader noted that at first they would
vest much hopes in the new figure and he would work "on
contrasts", but soon the attitude to him would become
even worse than to Luzhkov. Mitrokhin also warned that social
tensions may increase.
Mitrokhin also reiterated that Luzhkov firmly defended social
benefits and guarantees for Muscovites before the federal
government. These policies may change, especially after the
federal elections. "I do not see such a figure from the
possible candidates who could cope with such a hard heritage,"
Mitrokhin said. YABLOKO’s leader also spoke in favour of returning
the elections of the Mayor of Moscow, as "it is unpleasant
[for the Muscovites] to get a Moscow head who is appointed
by the Kremlin."
"The new figure appointed by the federal authorities
will be a Kremlin’s puppet. Luzhkov’s advantage was that he
was not such a puppet. The new mayor will have minimal dependence
on the Muscovites in contrast to Yuri Luzhkov, who has been
elected several times by the Muscovites,” Mitrokhin stressed.
In conclusion, YABLOKO’s leader added that Luzhkov was a
victim of an "under carpet war at the top." Mitrokhin
also said that President Dmitry Medvedev acted not very decently
in this situation: he should have spared the nation all the
mess in the press and talked to Luzhkov in private.” "Then
Luzhkov would have resigned voluntarily and very quickly,"
Mitrokhin noted.
Today Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree dismissing
Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov "in connection with the loss
of trust" by the head of state. First Deputy Mayor Vladimir
Resin is appointed acting Mayor of Moscow. The decree comes
into force from today.
See also:
On the political
crisis in Moscow and the ways out of it. Statement by the
Regional Council of the Moscow branch of YABLOKO. September
24, 2010
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