Novaya Gazeta, 25.04.2016

By Olga Bobrova

Ex Mayor of Petrozavodsk, dismissed by the decision of [Petrozavodsk] municipal deputies, was awarded a Special Prize of the President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe – ALDE LeaDer Award – for individual achievement in strengthening the liberal values.

ALDE LeaDer Prize is awarded by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for the fifth time, and, according to President of the ALDE Hans van Baalen, the Prize has become a significant event in the European political life. This prestigious prize is awarded to the politicians who have attained much success in the protection and strengthening of democracy in Europe, achieved transparency and promoted tolerance. Today, Special Prize was awarded to Galina Shirshina.

Galina Shirshina, an independent candidate [for the post of Mayor of Petrozavodsk] who with the support of the YABLOKO party won a sensational victory in the elections of the Mayor of Petrozavodsk, Karelia, in 2013, was dismissed in December last year after repeated attempts to oust her from the post.

The deputies of Petrozavodsk [City Council] recognised her work as head of the city economy inefficient, the decision of the deputies was supported by head of the region Alexander Khudilainen. In public they gave different pretexts for dismissing Shirshina, however, the real reason for the dismissal was her unwillingness to be integrated into the present system affected by corruption for many years.

Source: http://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/1702793.html