Vladivostok mayor Yuri Kopylov / Frame from NTV Channel
Vladivostok mayor Yuri Kopylov has reportedly refused to take part in the forthcoming
second round of the mayoral election that has resounded throughout the
nation as tensions continue to grow. He submitted an application to the
city’s electoral commission requesting his name be taken off the
voting ballots, NTV television reported.
Kopylov came third in July 4’s first round of elections, succeeded
by Duma deputy Viktor Cherepkov, who has been persistent in fighting for
the mayor’s seat ever since losing it in 1993, and entrepreneur
Vladimir Nikolayev. In what appeared to be an assassination attempt, Cherepkov
was lightly injured in a mine blast near his campaign headquarters early
Saturday morning.
Wednesday, however, just a day after Cherepkov was withdrawn from the
race, the election commission received a petition to disqualify Nikolayev
from the second round, the Russian Information Agency Novosti reported,
citing the city administration.
The election commission will consider who will be the next candidate.
By law it should be businessmen Aleksandr Perednya, who came next after
Kopylov in the first round of the election.
However, he also refuses to run in the second round, Perednya’s
press secretary told Novosti. She said that a relevant address to the
media is being prepared at the moment.
If the reports are true, under the circumstances it may turn out that
there will be no candidates in second round of mayor elections scheduled
for July 18. Or, if they are not, Kopylov will be the only candidate.
See also:
Regional Elections
2004
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