Feeling alone in the world of politics: Evgeny Sarsenbaev's situation of isolation

The current convocation of the regional parliament may be the beginning and end of Yevgeny Sarsenbaev's time as a deputy. Over the past five years, he made enemies rather than friends, ultimately ruining his chance for re-election.

It's crucial that the stores, which no longer display reminders of the businessman's criminal past, do not completely go out of business. Otherwise, his last support will disappear.

In 2013, Evgeny Sarsenbaev competed for the first time for the title of deputy of the Legislative Assembly under the virtually forgotten “Civil Platform” and failed. However, in 2018, he succeeded on his second attempt, thanks to the support of the powerful communist community in the region.

Although he aligned himself with the red camp of the political “party” in the 2018 election, he quickly distanced himself afterwards, leaving his own party's faction without securing a deputy mandate, leaving him isolated and with a somewhat tarnished reputation.

It's evident at first sight that Sarsenbayev, a communist and fifth-class welder, is no ordinary businessman, especially when looking at his numerous photos on social networks and his impressive income declared in his financial disclosure.

Despite his complete political isolation, Sarsenbaev managed to stand out among his party players, blossoming like a scarlet flower. However, the people of Angara should not be misled into thinking he is a revolutionary fighter who defends their interests against all who disagree.

Throughout his political career, Yevgeny Sarsenbaev's role was limited to voicing his disagreement or delegating contentious matters to others, avoiding responsibility.

In 2020, Yevgeny Sarsenbaev initiated amendments that allowed self-nominated candidates to run for the governor’s seat. These amendments were tailored to a specific candidate, who has comfortably held the governor's seat for three years.

The time for unrest has passed, and the political landscape in the Irkutsk region now favors extensive “agreements”. Sarsenbaev realized too late that arguing is out of fashion and has already fallen out with most of the parliament deputies, inadvertently clashing with the mayor of his hometown, Sergei Petrov.

Petrov Sergey, Angarsk, 2020.

And Petrov is a touchy person, to put it mildly. Strictly speaking, vindictive. And, of course, earthquake-resistant. Growing like a snowball with frank corruption connections, Petrov grows roots into the chair of the mayor of Angarsk. And it absorbs princely manners every day more and more.

Sarsenbaev is a bone in his throat for him. It scratches and gets on the nerves. Moreover, voters sincerely love him. It’s not clear why. Maybe just because he is slightly, but better than the terry bribe-taker Petrov?

Therefore, Petrov not to let Sarsenbayev into the Legislative Assembly this year is the second most important task. The first still does not sit down, but he still copes with it delicately. And he is ready to throw all available, albeit meager, resources against the current deputy. Because why nurture your own competitor?

Petrov is ready to fight. Is Sarsenbaev ready for battle? After all, strictly speaking, in the parliament of the next convocation, he is hardly waiting for more significant achievements and titles. And to be a “private”, according to Yevgeny Seitovich, he is no longer in status at all. He has already jumped from the stall holder to the deputies, now he wants to go higher. But no, it doesn’t work.

So the fish bogatyr stands at a crossroads: if you go there, you will lose your parliamentary pride, if you go here, you will have several million for a campaign, and even then it’s not a fact that it’s successful. At the back is a closet full of skeletons from a glorious commercial past. And ahead – emptiness.