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United Russia expels Oryol mayor for actions discrediting party

The decision was made at the Friday meeting of the party’s regional political council

ORYOL, December 30 (Itar-Tass) —— Oryol Mayor Viktor Safyanov has been expelled from United Russia for actions, which discredit the party.

The decision was made at the Friday meeting of the party’s regional political council. United Russia accused Safyanov, who became the mayor in 2010, of the failure to fulfill his election program and economic and social flops.

“We are guided with one reason only: that is the economic status of Oryol. The city economy needs drastic transformations. We admit that the nomination of Viktor Safyanov for mayor was a mistake. We hear plenty of complaints about housing and public utility problems from local residents,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the main events in the upcoming celebrations of the Oryol 450th anniversary [due in 2016] are also endangered,” Oryol Vice-Governor Igor Garmash said. “This means the decision of the political council is absolutely founded. The opinion of city residents is vital for the mayor, and the majority of people in Oryol are dissatisfied with his work.”

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