Press Release, 06.10.2017

Yekaterinburg oppositional Mayor Yevgeny Roizman signed a petition for the return of direct elections of mayors, members of the Federation Council and the cancellation of the municipal filter in the gubernatorial elections. The petition was initiated by Grigory Yavlinsky, Yabloko founder and presidential candidate. Direct elections are one of the key issues of Grigory Yavlinsky’s presidential election programme.

“I believe that direct elections of mayors are the basis of local self-government, which is a very important component of the overall democratic system in the country. There is no strong local government without direct elections of mayors,” Yevgeny Roizman stressed. “I see what has been happening in the country, I see that there are many regions where direct elections of mayors were canceled through the [decision of a regional] Legislative Assembly. I understand what it can lead to.

Strong cities mean a strong country. There will be no strong cities without direct elections of mayors, just for the reason that the [government’s] appointee is indebted to everyone who appointed him. And the appointee reports to the person who appointed him. And the person who is elected to the office, reports only to those who elected him. This is a completely different level of reporting, another level,” he said.

According to Roizman, the authorities can heed the initiative to return direct elections, as they monitor public opinion.

“About 95-96 per cent of Yekaterinburg residents consider direct elections of the Mayor mandatory. I think the figure is similar in the cities with about one million residents, which makes 65 per cent in the country, so the authorities may listen to it, “he said.

Earlier, Roizman opposed the municipal filter, which became a barrier to his participation in the gubernatorial elections this year.