GRYZLOV JR.: A LESSON IN KNOWING YOUR PLACE IN ST.

UNCLAS ST PETERSBURG 000029 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: RS PGOV SUBJECT: GRYZLOV JR.: A LESSON IN KNOWING YOUR PLACE IN ST. PETERSBURG ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Dmitriy Gryzlov, son of the State Duma Chairman, lost his electoral bid as an independent candidate in the St. Petersburg municipal elections on March 1st. After his loss, he was quick to accuse United Russia of unfair campaigning and election fraud. Gryzlov said also that the leadership of the Legislative Assembly (whose Chairman also heads the local branch of United Russia) was facilitating corrupt ties between local businessmen and criminals. Gryzlov's rhetoric, however, abruptly softened when he was offered certain political opportunities within the St. Petersburg branch of United Russia. Gryzlov has recently announced his desire to join United Russia and to take charge of the party's youth polices. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Dmitriy Gryzlov, son of the State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov, was one of several relatives of well-known public figures to run in St. Petersburg`s March 1st legislative elections. He initially sought United Russia's support, and United Russia did in fact nominate him as a candidate, but not in the district he wanted. Gryzlov then decided to register and run in his preferred district as an independent, arguing that he was well acquainted with the area and had a number of allies there who would support him, and that his father had advised him to do so. Unlike numerous other opposition candidates, Gryzlov did manage to register his candidacy, although he had to file a complaint with the City Election Commission to be put on the ballot. ¶3. (SBU) During the election campaign, Gryzlov complained about numerous obstacles put in his way by his competitors and United Russia. These complaints were unusual, coming as they did from a major United Russia figure's son. After the vote, which Gryzlov lost by coming in eighth in a five-person district, Gryzlov's criticism of United Russia intensified. In an interview with a local magazine, Gryzlov charged United Russia with unfair campaigning and with having perpetrated an unprecedented level of outright fraud. Gryzlov also accused an unnamed person, allegedly close to the Legislative Assembly leadership, of political intrigues against him and added that this person was facilitating ties between the city government and local businesses and criminals. Gryzlov also threatened his opponents with forthcoming sanctions from Moscow, which would result when he updated his father on the unpleasant details of the St. Petersburg's elections. ¶4. (SBU) After Gryzlov's magazine interview was published, his election story became a major theme for the local media. This upset United Russia's St. Petersburg leadership. Legislative Assembly Speaker Vadim Tyulpanov, and local head of United Russia, apparently decided to resolve the conflict in a peaceful manner, and held a private talk with Dmitriy Gryzlov. After this meeting, Gryzlov dropped his main accusations against United Russia, and instead named District Administrator Vsevolod Khmyrov as the party responsible for his loss. Gryzlov also has said he might become a member of the regional United Russia Political Council, and may also be put in charge of United Russia's youth policies and of the City Youth Council, a youth organization that has been inactive recently. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT. This episode is indicative of United Russia's ability to manage conflict, so to speak, through co-optation, smooth over rifts, and ensure the party's continued overwhelming dominance of local politics. END COMMENT. GWALTNEY