Novosibirsk: local parliament abolishes direct mayor elections in third-largest city of Russia

The Council of Deputies of the Russian city of Novosibirsk has voted in favour of amending the city charter, thus abolishing direct mayor elections, a post on the Telegram channel of the opposition coalition Novosibirsk 2020 reads.

Thirty-eight deputies voted in favour of the amendments and five against.

There was no discussion held before the vote. In fact, the deputies voted on whether to cancel the discussion beforehand — 33 voted in favour and 13 against.

“It’s not quite clear why we even need the mayor’s office at all, if everything will be managed directly by the governor,” opposition deputy Anton Kartavin said, commenting on the decision. According to him, there is still a chance to bring back the direct elections via a regional referendum on the issue.

On 24 April, Kartavin filed a motion to organise a vote among the residents of the region. By law, the government has two months to consider his motion. In case it is found satisfactory, the deputy has to collect 21,000 signatures in favour of the referendum being held. 

The regional Legislative Assembly of Novosibirsk supported the bill on abolishment of direct mayor elections back in February 2023. According to the bill, the head of the city will be elected by a municipal representative body made up of “candidates chosen by a commission following a contest”. The mayor will head the local administration for a term of five years.