Novosibirsk cancels direct mayoral elections – Kommersant

The Council of Deputies of Novosibirsk in two readings approved the abolition of direct elections of the head of the municipality, reports Interfax. Appropriate changes will be made to the charter of the city.

This decision was supported by 38 out of 50 deputies. Six people voted against in the first reading and five in the second. The current mayor of Novosibirsk, Anatoly Lokot, was absent from the session. The city council also approved an amendment that allows early termination of the powers of a city council deputy if he is absent from all meetings without good reason for six months in a row.

In accordance with the previously adopted regional law, the mayor of Novosibirsk is elected by the council of deputies of the city from among the candidates presented by the commission based on the results of the competition. The mayor will be elected for a term of 5 years. The law will take effect after the expiration of the term of office of Mr. Lokt.

Direct elections of the heads of most municipalities in the region were canceled back in 2015, the only exceptions were Novosibirsk and the science city of Koltsovo. In February 2023, the legislative assembly of the region, on the initiative of United Russia, abolished direct elections and there. Non-factional deputy of the City Council Anton Kartavin planned bring the issue of the method of electing municipal leaders to the regional referendum.

On the development of the situation – in the material “Kommersant” “The competition was given the green light”.

Laura Keffer