The first televised debates of gubernatorial candidates Valentin Konovalov and Sergei Sokol took place in Khakassia

In Khakassia on Tuesday the first televised debates of candidates for governors were held. All four contenders for the post of head of the republic, and not just the current governor Valentin Konovalov (KPRF) and State Duma deputy Sergei Sokol (United Russia), as demanded by the communist, became their participants. The candidates expressed their views on the regional economy and asked their rivals questions, sometimes in a raised voice, but the expert did not hear intonations that “allow positioning” the election of the head of Khakassia as “a decisive battle between good and evil.”

The first debate of candidates for the post of head of Khakassia was held on August 15 on the republican TV channel RTS and lasted almost an hour. All four applicants took part in them: the current head of the region Valentin Konovalov (KPRF), State Duma deputy Sergei Sokol (United Russia), deputy of the Supreme Council of Khakassia Mikhail Molchanov (LDPR) and Kazan businessman Vladimir Grudinin (Communists of Russia). Each of them twice was given five minutes to present their views on the topic “Economy of the region”.

The debate between Valentin Konovalov and Sergei Sokol became a discussed event long before it began. As Kommersant reported, on August 7, the head of the republic in his Telegram channel for the first time called on his opponent for a face-to-face dialogue. “Until now, you only ask questions and make claims to the government of Khakassia, and address them not directly, but to the impersonal Internet and media space,” Mr. Konovalov then addressed his rival. Two days later, he specified the desired format of the dialogue – “question-answer” in a one-on-one meeting. In turn, Sergei Sokol, speaking with the residents of Abakan, called the opponent’s proposal “hype”, specifying that he was ready to debate according to the norms established for election campaigns. Calling a candidate to a legally required debate is like asking the sun to set on time or asking water to be wet, he said. Later, an announcement of the debate appeared on the net, with footage from the film 8 Mile (USA, 2002), promising that it would “be legendary.”

The meeting on the air on August 15 lived up to the expectations of those who were counting on a heated discussion. The current head of the republic began by mentioning the “lawlessness” that “has been happening in the republic in recent months” and the flow of “darkness that is pouring from the screens.” Mr. Konovalov suggested that the debates would not be without “dirty stuff”: two opponents “use the time to tell how terrible Konovalov’s government is, and one – what a huge federal resource he has.” The head himself said that over the past five years, Khakassia has increased budget spending by 2.5 times, reduced commercial debt by 6.5 times, and tax revenue from aluminum and coal companies has grown seven to eight times. “Do you hear, Sergei Mikhailovich? – Mr. Konovalov turned to Mr. Sokol. – We must work in the interests of the region, and not for our own benefit and for the benefit of the oligarchs.

“It is a pity that Valentin Olegovich started with insults against his colleagues,” Mikhail Molchanov responded. The LDPR candidate also operated with numbers: according to him, the industry of Khakassia decreased by 8% in 2022, and agricultural production has been declining for three years in a row. In addition to statistical arguments, Mr. Molchanov found a gas mask, which he brought to Valentin Konovalov “from the unclean lungs of the inhabitants of the republic”, but did not give it, so that the gesture would not be considered a bribe.

Sergei Sokol, referring to Valentin Konovalov, called him “still the current head” and asked him to “observe the elementary norms of political etiquette”, giving characteristics to opponents. “What I see here in the republic does not require you to ask any questions. Everything is visible, everything is clear,” United Russia said. Questions, however, were found – for example, about the initiative of the head of the region to freeze housing and communal services tariffs for three years: “This sounds beautiful, but, of course, counterproductive.”

Finally, Vladimir Grudinin said that Valentin Konovalov does not have a team capable of achieving the results that the president and government demand. Mr. Grudinin proposed a radical reduction in tariffs for heat and electricity for industrial enterprises.

Mikhail Vinogradov, president of the Petersburg Politics Foundation, finds that the debate took place in an intonation that “allows not to position the election of the head of Khakassia as a decisive battle between good and evil,” and this happened, among other things, thanks to the “restrainedly indifferent” tone of Mr. Sokol’s speech. In turn, the current head of the republic is trying, according to the political scientist, “to combine the niche of a sincere person who is offended by everyone, and an opposition tribune who is not responsible for the jambs of power and denounces them.” On August 16, the debate will continue on the radio channels RTS Radio and Khakassia FM.

Valery Lavsky, Novosibirsk