Press release, 03.03.2016
The Bureau of the St. Petersburg branch of YABLOKO claims the necessity of regaining competition in the gubernatorial election by changing the current system of gubernatorial elections. In the first place, YABLOKO suggests that all the parties which have factions in regional parliaments must have the ability to nominate their candidate in the gubernatorial election without the municipal filter [the process by which a mayoral candidate gets signatures of the municipal lawmakers to become a candidate] and other artificial barriers.

YABLOKO claims that the wave of resignation of unpopular governors did not change the situation in essence. The Kremlin appointed
another officials who are unknown to the local residents. In the forthcoming elections the acting governors will have all the advantages of the “administrative resource” whereas opposition candidates will be withdrawn from election since they will fail to overcome the municipal filter.

“The Bureau claims that replacing officials with other officials will not help improving the life of the residents. The improvement could take place if new heads of the regions were elected at competitive elections and felt responsibility for the people. At the same time, the Bureau insists that the appointment of acting governors by the President of the RF is a direct violation of the Constitution of the RF. The duties of a resigned governor must be fulfilled by an officer prescribed by the Charter of a constituent territory of the Federation,” runs the statement.