Press Release, 11.04.2023

Photo: The building of the city administration in Novosibirsk / Photo from the official web-site of the city of Novosibirsk

Natalya Chubykina, Chairperson of the Novosibirsk branch of Yabloko, spoke at the public hearings on amendments to the Charter of the city of Novosibirsk on the model of mayoral elections.

“The Novosibirsk branch of the Yabloko party has already protested against the abolition of direct elections of the Mayor of Novosibirsk by the residents of the city. Our main objection is that the abolition of the election of the Mayor will lead to the curtailment of local self-government instead of its development,” Natalya Chubykina said.

She also noted that when the Constitution of the new state of the Russian Federation had been created, Russia was conceived as a federation with strong local self-government, but now federalisation turned into a formality, and local self-government had been following this way too.

According to Chubykina, the goal of the proposed reform when the Council of Deputies and not the residents of the city, should elect the Mayor, was to further strengthen the “vertical of power”.

“We believe that strengthening of the “vertical of power” will worsen the quality of adopted decisions. Only local self-government, wide participation of citizens in the choice of goals and means of urban development, can ultimately ensure that management’s decisions comply with the interests of the population” Chubykina stressed.

Natalia Chubykina also emphasissed that Novosibirsk remained one of the few cities where mayoral elections were preserved. However, the Council of Deputies decided to deprive the population of this opportunity. Chubykina also warned that decisions would be made by a narrow circle of officials and members of financial and industrial groups, and their current interests might be realised to the detriment of the long-term goals of the city’s development. “Local self-government, along with real federal relations, is a key condition for the successful development of the city and the country. The opposite path leads to stagnation, and ultimately to a decrease in the quality of life of citizens,” she added.

Chubykina reminded to the deputies that their decision would largely determine the future of Novosibirsk and they should be responsible to the voters, and urged the deputies to keep direct mayoral elections in Novosibirsk. , to remember your and keep the mayor of Novosibirsk elected.

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It should be noted that the Novosibirsk branch of Yabloko submitted amendments (https://eng.yabloko.ru/30983-2/)to the charter of the city, preserving the direct election of the Mayor and a mixed electoral system in city elections.