‘We Opposed Dropping Presidential Title,’ Tatarstan Head Says; But ‘We weren’t Listened To’

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Dec. 22 – Rustam Minnikhanov says that while he and the government of Tatarstan opposed the Russian law requiring that he no longer call himself president but rather head of the republic, he and his government are law-abiding and will conform to the new requirement.

            “The position of our parliament was well-known,” he says; but it is important for the republic and for the country that “we listen to one another.” In this case, however, “our voice wasn’t listened to. The law was adopted and we are law-abiding people” (turantoday.com/2021/12/president-tatarstan.html).

            Minnikhanov’s reaction is more understanding than what many Tatars and even other Turkic peoples are saying. The Turan news agency, for example, says that it will continue to style Minnikhanov president of Tatarstan because the Russian law stripping him of that title contradicts the constitution of Tatarstan.