State Duma deputy Sergei Sokol is likely to take part in the debate in the gubernatorial elections in Khakassia

The head of Khakassia, Valentin Konovalov (KPRF), published on his Telegram channel an appeal to State Duma deputy from United Russia Sergei Sokol with a proposal to take part in the pre-election debate. “Come to the debate: we’ll talk honestly, discuss problems, the development strategy of Khakassia, which we are implementing, what has been done and what is planned,” Konovalov wrote.

He announced his readiness to listen to what United Russia can do for the republic. The format of the debate has not yet been determined. Sokol has not yet responded to Konovalov’s invitation. An interlocutor of Vedomosti in United Russia says that in the near future Sokol will declare his readiness to participate in the debate.

United Russia considers the election of the head of Khakassia one of the most difficult in the current election campaign, Vedomosti wrote on June 29. Deputy Secretary of the General Council of the party, Sergei Perminov, stated that “there will be a special involvement of the party in the elections, including technological strengthening, assistance from fellow deputies and senators from the region, and the involvement of other party resources to provide additional assistance.”

In addition, on August 4, citing the head of the presidential department for ensuring the activities of the State Council, Alexander Kharichev, who arrived in the region, the publication “Pulse of Khakassia” reported concerns about the elections in the republic. For example, he condemned the “massive slander attack” of a candidate who returned from the front (Sokol fits this criterion).

A total of 21 gubernatorial campaigns are planned for September 10 in Russia (the heads of five more constituent entities of the Russian Federation, including four new ones, will be elected through voting in parliaments). In addition to Konovalov, his fellow party member, the governor of the Oryol region, a member of the presidium of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Andrey Klychkov, also plans to participate in the debate. Unlike Khakassia, United Russia does not participate in the gubernatorial elections here – the ruling party publicly supported Klychkov. The governor’s decision to participate in the debate is explained by the fact that the Communist Party of the Russian Federation traditionally advocates mandatory pre-election discussions.

Also, the acting governor of the Smolensk region Vasily Anokhin, nominated by United Russia, is going to participate in the debate. Four candidates are registered here: representatives of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Communists of Russia. “Anokhin is a new person for the region, he needs to seek sympathy in society,” says political scientist Rostislav Turovsky. – And his competitors are very weak. Anokhin’s task is to make an impression of a serious and competent leader against their background.

In other regions, they did not report on the plans of the governors. Vedomosti sent inquiries to regional administrations.

The governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region Gleb Nikitin and the acting head of Chukotka Vladislav Kuznetsov have not yet decided on their possible participation in the debate, interlocutors in their circle told Vedomosti. “A lot of work, a lot of trips to the territories,” explained a source close to Kuznetsov.

The governors of the Voronezh region Alexander Gusev and the Pskov region Mikhail Vedernikov will not participate in the debate, Vedomosti’s interlocutors in the regions said.

Most often, governors do not participate in debates because in most regions there is no competition in elections, says political analyst Alexander Kynev. “When there is a basic candidate and technical opponents, there is no point [в дебатах] No. Such debates only increase the political capital of competitors and do nothing for the governor,” he explains.

Usually, acting heads are guided by the tactics of not noticing opponents, thus showing superiority, Turovsky notes. “In Khakassia, Konovalov has reason to be afraid of the Falcon. But he wants to demonstrate his determination and competence in an open duel. The idea is not bad, but I think that it is useless, since both candidates will be sure that they are right and this is how they will interpret the results of the debate,” he said.