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