Paul
Goble
Staunton, September 16 – The
unexpected victory of Galina Shirshina over incumbent Petrozavodsk mayor
Nikolay Levin reflects the complicated politics of the Republic of Karelia, a
politics that involves high levels of civic activism, incredible faux pas by
United Russia and its minions there, and deep splits in the usual alliance of
business interests and the regime.
In an article in Moscow’s “New
Times” published today, journalist Yuliya Chernukhina not only describes the
combination of factors but also provides answers to two questions many Russian
outlets are now asking: “Who is this Shirshina?” and how could she possibly
have been elected mayor? (newtimes.ru/articles/detail/70944).
Shirshina’s victory was a surprise
to everyone: Levin himself had already invited people to his inauguration,
having thought he would inevitably be victorious after forcing out on trumped
up charges Yabloko candidate Emiliya Slabunova, who is popular and attracted
demonstrators with signs like “Karelia is not a colony” and “we are not
aboriginals.”
Because Petrozavodsk residents are
trying to explain it, the “New Times” journalist says, “the city is filling up
with rumors,” ranging from Shirshina being a stalking horse for Slabunova or
for one or another oligarch to those suggesting that the Karelian government
wanted Levin out to others saying he was an incompetent candidate.
Shirshina herself is less a mystery
that has been suggested. She was born into a military family in neighboring
Murmansk Oblast, moved to Karelia at the age of five, graduated and then taught
psychology at the Karelian State Pedagogical University, and was involve both
with Yabloko activists and three small local companies.
She won, it appears, because of the
coming together of several factors, including a deep split between Karelian
Governor Aleksandr Khudilaynen and Levin, unfortunate decisions by Levin which
were covered and attacked in the local media, bad planning by United Russia,
and the efforts of 2,000 Yabloko activists who have been active in the city for
17 years.
Suggestions that she is linked to
one or another of the oligarchs in the city and region appear to lack foundation,
the Moscow weekly says, and appear to be wishful thinking by one or another of
them, an effort to blacken Shirshina’s reputation even before she takes the
oath of office, or self-justification by United Russia for its loss.
Shirshina was running Slabunova’s
campaign before the latter was forced out, and she is likely to draw on
Slabunova’s Yabloko colleagues and to promote Slabunova’s ideas about honest
elections as well as government transparency and responsibility.
Local observers told Chernukhova
that the new mayor has a good chance in succeeding as long as she stay
independent of any one party or business group. If she becomes too closely
involved with each, they suggest, the others will attack her because “in Karelia
this is [their] national sport.”
P.S.:
A Wepsy blogger provides yet another perspective on Shirshina and her
election. He suggests that “the
existence of the Republic of Karelia in present-day Russia is based on oly one
factor – the existence of neighboring Finland.
For Finns, Karelian lands and Karels remain mentally part of their
territory … This is well understood in Moscow: otherwise there wouldn’t be a
governor with the name Khudilaynen. According to the logic of the federal center,
the Finns should be satisfied” with that … But to a significant degree,, the
residents of Karelia are integrated into Finnish life and realities, and of
couse, in contrast to residents from inside Russia know more about the
political life of a European country.” The new mayor of Petrozavodsk “with her
scientific background liberal views, and peaceful face is a typical politician
not for Russia but for Finland. And now she is in Petrozavodsk!” (vepdui.livejournal.com/146725.html#comments).
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