Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STPETERSBURG31
2009-03-23 15:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate St Petersburg
Cable title:  

REBELLIOUS GOVERNOR OF MURMANSK OBLAST REPLACED

Tags:  PGOV RS 
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R 231502Z MAR 09
FM AMCONSUL ST PETERSBURG
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2732
INFO AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 
AMCONSUL ST PETERSBURG 
AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK 
AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG
UNCLAS ST PETERSBURG 000031 


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV RS
SUBJECT: REBELLIOUS GOVERNOR OF MURMANSK OBLAST REPLACED

REF: ST. PETERSBURG 28

UNCLAS ST PETERSBURG 000031


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV RS
SUBJECT: REBELLIOUS GOVERNOR OF MURMANSK OBLAST REPLACED

REF: ST. PETERSBURG 28


1. (SBU) Summary: President Medvedev has relieved Murmansk
Oblast Governor Yuriy Yevdokimov of his position and replaced
him with Deputy Head of the State Fishing Committee Dmitriy
Dmitriyenko. Medvedev's decision followed United Russia's
recent election defeat in the city of Murmansk where the
incumbent lost to the candidate supported by Yevdokimov. Unlike
Yevdokimov, Dmitriyenko does not have deep roots in Murmansk
Oblast, and will likely govern in more complete compliance with
the Kremlin's regional plans. End Summary.


2. (SBU). On March 21, President Dmitriy Medvedev accepted
Murmansk Oblast Governor Yuriy Yevdokimov's resignation letter.
Rumors of Yevdokimov's likely resignation first emerged at the
end of February during the mayoral election campaign in the city
of Murmansk, where Yevdokimov's ally Sergey Subbotin was running
against incumbent Mikhail Savchenko (reftel). Yevdokimov,
though a United Russia party member himself, accused United
Russia of illegal and unfair campaigning, while his opponents
retaliated by charging the governor with political intrigue
against the incumbent mayor. The conflict between the governor
and the incumbent mayor made the Murmansk mayoral elections
highly competitive, and the first round on March 1 was
inconclusive and necessitated a runoff. Subbotin defeated
Savchenko in the March 15 runoff election by a decisive margin.
Subbotin, who has always insisted that he was an active
supporter of United Russia and Vladimir Putin's personal
follower, has promised to formally enter the party. United
Russia is reportedly weighing whether it should live with
Subbotin's victory and accept him into its ranks, or whether it
should initiate legal proceedings to cancel the election
results. However, regardless of United Russia's decision on
Subbotin, observers expected that the party would punish
Yevdokimov to send a message to other governors that they should
not work against United Russia's official election candidates.


3. (SBU). While Yevdokimov's resignation formally was
voluntary, most observers are sure the Kremlin was behind it,
and believe the election conflict with United Russia was just
the straw that broke the camel's back with respect to
Yevdokimov's relationship with United Russia. It was not the
only charge against Yevdokimov. President Medvedev earlier had
publicly criticized the governor for his failure to implement an
anti-crisis regional employment program. Regardless, Yevdokimov
himself now says that it is time to replace elder regional
leaders with younger officials, and that he would help
Dmitriyenko become acquainted with the oblast. Unlike
Yevdokimov, who was first elected governor in 1996, Dmitriyenko
is little known in the region. He has played up his prior
service in the Northern Fleet,as well as his recent duties with
the State Fishing Committee as being experiences which help him
to understand the oblast and its economy.


4. (SBU) Comment. Replacement of Murmansk Governor Yevdokimov
with a relative unknown is fully in line with the Kremlin's
gubernatorial appointment strategy. Dmitriyenko was probably
selected because he is an experienced and disciplined official
who has certain knowledge and competence which will be useful
for his new gubernatorial duties. However, he also does not
have any deep roots in the region nor any personal business ties
with the local political elite - making him completely dependent
on Moscow. End Comment.

GWALTNEY