The leaders of several Russian regions at once – Tomsk, Kirov and Saratov regions, as well as the Republic of Mari El – resigned on Tuesday, May 10, explaining this by the approaching end of his governorship, and the head of the Ryazan region announced that he did not intend to run for new term. The appeals of the governors of the Tomsk region Sergey Zhvachkin, the governors of the Kirov region – Igor Vasilyev and the Saratov region – Valery Radaev, as well as the head of Mari El Alexander Evstifeev, were published in the official Telegram channels.
“There is a law that limits governors’ work to two terms. I’m used to following the laws,” Zhvachkin said. Vasilyev, in his address to voters, indicated that he made the decision to leave the post of governor “in connection with the approaching end of his term of office” and intends to “continue work at the federal level.” According to the leaders of the regions, their decision to resign was supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Early resignation
Saratov Governor Valery Radaev also announced an early resignation. “Due to the upcoming election campaign, I will not put forward my candidacy for another term to be elected head of the region,” he said.
Ryazan governor Nikolai Lyubimov also announced his decision not to run for governor for the next term. “The expiration date of my term is approaching. I made a responsible decision – not to be nominated for the post of governor for the next term,” he wrote on his page on the VKontakte social network.
The powers of Sergei Zhvachkin and Valery Radaev, who were re-elected in 2017 for a second five-year term as governor, were to expire this fall. Igor Vasiliev and Nikolai Lyubimov have been in charge of the Kirov and Ryazan regions, respectively, since 2016 and 2017, their first term as elected head of the region would also end in the fall of 2022.
Meduza notes that, according to political analysts, the early resignation of the heads of regions gives interim governors more time prepare for elections.
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The art of protest in Khabarovsk: from graffiti to round dances
Round dance for the people
On January 23, during a rally in support of Sergei Furgal and Alexei Navalny, a chain of riot police blocked the protesters from leaving Lenin Square. Shortly after that, people joined hands and began to walk along the cordon, chanting “Round dance for the people!”
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The art of protest in Khabarovsk: from graffiti to round dances
ice graffiti
During the New Year holidays, supporters of Sergei Furgal began to paint inscriptions in support of the politician on the ice of the frozen Amur, clearly visible from the city embankment. After that, the protesters even changed the route of the processions, usually passing through the central streets, and went down to the river twice.
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The art of protest in Khabarovsk: from graffiti to round dances
Tombstone of honest elections and fair trial
One of the main slogans of the Khabarovsk protests was “Honest trial in Khabarovsk.” At the same time, opposition-minded Khabarovsk residents do not believe in the fairness of court decisions and the honesty of elections. At one of Saturday’s actions near the city’s White House, protesters brought constructions resembling tombstones in shape and laid flowers at the symbolic grave of an honest trial.
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The art of protest in Khabarovsk: from graffiti to round dances
Graffiti on Pushkin
The route of protesters in support of ex-governor Sergei Furgal usually runs past an abandoned two-story building on Pushkin Street. The first graffiti in support of the arrested politician began to appear there in the summer, before major actions on Saturdays. Utilities painted over this street art with enviable agility. The photo shows one of the last paintings painted before the New Year.
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The art of protest in Khabarovsk: from graffiti to round dances
“Furgalomobil”: one of the main symbols of the protests in Khabarovsk
“Furgalomobil” is a food truck minibus. After the protests began, the owner pasted over it with stickers “I / We are Furgal”, images of the arrested mayor and began to accompany the processions. Songs in support of Furgal sounded from the speakers in the car. “Furgalomobil” quickly became one of the main symbols of protest. Then he fell into technical disrepair, but he was replaced by “Furgalomobil 2.0” (pictured).
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The art of protest in Khabarovsk: from graffiti to round dances
Truth TV with a boa constrictor inside
Protesters in Khabarovsk have repeatedly reproached federal channels for ignoring large-scale actions in the city or presenting information about them in a distorted form. As a result, a “television of truth” appeared at the protest actions, on the screen of which the most popular theses of state propaganda were printed. Inside the TV was a boa constrictor symbolizing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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The art of protest in Khabarovsk: from graffiti to round dances
Protest New Year
Some Khabarovsk residents have united so much during the six months of the protest movement that they even decided to celebrate the New Year together. About 20 people gathered on Lenin Square, where protests usually take place – without posters and flags, but with New Year’s paraphernalia – and, despite the frost, they stayed there for about two hours.
Author: Evgeny Vokul
