The ALDE Party, Interview with Yabloko leader and Moscow mayor candidate Sergei Mitrokhin,  September 3, 2013

This Sunday, the people of Moscow go to the polls to choose a mayor for their city. It is the first time the Russian capital’s mayor has been chosen by popular vote for ten years. The last direct election was in 2003, before legislation was introduced granting the president the right to appoint regional leaders. The poll for the mayor of Moscow will take place on September the 8th as part of regional elections held right across Russia.

Latest research suggests 58 percent of eligible voters support the Kremlin-backed candidate and acting mayor Sergei Sobyanin, while 18 percent back the high-profile opposition candidate and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny. The two front runners have claimed the lion’s share of the publicity in the run-up to the vote, but there are also a further four runners in the race. One of them is Sergei Mitrokhin, the leader of the Russian United Democratic Party or “Yabloko”, an active member of the ALDE Party. Liberal Eyes caught up with Mr Mitrokhin on the campaign trail:

Liberal Eyes: Why is the election of Moscow’s mayor so important?

Sergei Mitrokhin: Moscow is Russia’s capital and 7.5 million voter live here. Also over 80 per cent of Russia’s financial resources are concentrated in Moscow and the city “sets the trend” for Russia’s economic and political development. The Mayor of Moscow is the third most influential political figure in Russia.

Liberal Eyes: What are the major issues at stake here?

Sergei Mitrokhin: Sergei Sobyanin, the acting Mayor, is a part of the oligarchy, he is one of the key figures in Vladimir Putin’s team which has established a corrupt authoritarian regime where citizens are deprived of their rights. Sobyanin could not or would not change the flawed system of governance in Moscow which only benefited bureaucrats. I am categorically against this, and, together with my party, propose an action plan for the peaceful ousting of this team from power, the dismantling of the old system and construction of a new democratic state. Sobyanin has been criticized on many counts: the closed system of governance in Moscow, the lack of accountability, high levels of corruption and illegal immigration, inadequate transport, more expensive utilities and the commercialisation of education and healthcare.

Liberal Eyes: What can you personally offer voters?

Sergei Mitrokhin: I want to rebalance the relationship between the people and those in power: I will bring back fair elections, expand the powers of local government, and introduce referenda. Tenders for city construction and development projects will be decided on at legitimate public hearings, and the decisions will be binding.

I will work within a legal framework, which has never been done before. I plan to remove urban policy planning from the influence of big business, connected to the federal and the Moscow city authorities. I will clamp down on theft in the state, housing and utilities sector. I will tackle the problem of illegal immigration, root and branch. I will develop an urban plan based on a legal and scientific framework.

Liberal Eyes: Yes, but what will your priorities be if you are elected?

Sergei Mitrokhin: I will establish fair elections for the Moscow City Duma (Moscow parliament) and then will reinstate the whole range of supervisory powers that were seized over the past 15 years. I will increase opportunities for the people of Moscow to influence political decisions directly. I will cancel administrative city boards and transfer their proxies to municipalities. I will carry out an independent audit of all budget expenditure and tariffs. I will review the all the tariffs in the housing and utilities sector. I will support young families, senior citizens, people with disabilities and protect women’s rights.

I also plan to work to preserve the historical memory of Moscow, including the memory of the victims of political dissent.

Liberal Eyes: What is your prediction for the result of the vote on Sunday?

Sergei Mitrokhin: Let political scientists and social scientists worry about that. Politicians always plan and work for victory.

The original publication