MOSCOW, July 22 (Itar-Tass) - United Russia will organise primaries in Tomsk to nominate its mayoral candidate, the State Duma’s Deputy Speraker Sergei Neverov said on Monday.
“It is most important to make the election most open, so that a new mayor had experience and respected by the residents,” he said.
As for the resignation of Tomsk’s Mayor Nikolai Nikolaichuk, Neverov said “this is his own decision, which has been supported by the city’s Duma, and no more comments are required here.”
Earlier on Monday, a member of United Russia Nikolai Nikolaichuk told the municipal Duma about his resignation, explaining the decision by disputes between the regional and municipal authorities.
“Eighteen months ago, the Tomsk regional authorities have changed the trend - and the decision affects the city. I do not share the idea of turning Tomsk from a scientific and educational centre into a centre of raw materials’ companies. Continuing work as a mayor would positively cause a conflict. The city should not suffer from a situation like this. The only correct decision for me is to resign,” Nikolaichuk said.
The Tomsk region’s Governor Sergei Zhvachkin called resignation of Tomsk’s Mayor Nikolai Nikolaichuk a masculine decision, which was a reaction to the criticism from local residents. He confirmed the municipal legislators had appointed the mayoral election for October 13.
Nikolai Nikolaichuk was appointed Tomsk mayor’s first deputy in June of 2007, and on the following day began working as the city’s acting mayor. In March of 2009, he was elected to the position during a run-off.