Press release, 14.11.2018

Yabloko Chair Emilia Slabunova arrived in Veliky Novgorod, North-West Russia, to support Anna Cherepanova, Chair of the regional party branch and an MP in the Veliky Novgorod City Duma, who is running for the city mayor position. The mayor is appointed by the city parliament MPs because direct mayoral elections were cancelled. Regional Yabloko branch insists on the reintroduction of direct mayoral elections, and Anna Cherepanova introduced the initiative to the city parliament more than once. However, she put herself forward as a mayoral candidate to be considered on the competition basis. Cherepanova applied for the post along with nine other candidates. Today she presented her programme to the regional MPs.

“Thousands of citizens supported Yabloko’s programme in the elections to the city parliament. I decided to run in the elections to tell the residents of Veliky Novgorod how I see the future of our city. I participate in the competition knowing that local residents support me,” Cherepanova explained.

She also added that she would be the mayor who would stand up for the interests of the local resident. “However, we need authority and resources to manage the city efficiently. I am ready to work for this as a mayor,” she said.

“My programme is about the future of the city. I believe that the residents of Veliky Novgorod consider the possibility of realising their potential as key, and they also want to participate in decision making when it comes to city issues. If the city fails to provide our residents with opportunities, we run the risk of losing creative and progressive people who are moving to different cities of abroad. I am not trying to sound dramatic but we are facing a choice now – will we be able to ensure stability or is it stagnation that awaits us?” she addressed the commission.

According to Yabloko Chair Emilia Slabunova, the party does not support the institute of city managers because it proved to be ineffective.

“Nevertheless, we participate in this competition to launch our programme and show that we have a great candidate for this role,” the politician noted.

Yabloko Chair described Anna Cherepanova as an expert in anti-corruption policy, experienced professional and PhD in Economics. “It is her principle that all key decisions should be made with regard to the interests of the local residents. Anna Cherepanova is running in the elections to solve the problems of the city. If she wins, it will be the victory of the residents of Veliky Novgorod,” she said.