What do experts think will happen when the leadership changes in the city up north?
There are reports in the media and on messaging channels about the upcoming resignation of St. Petersburg's Governor Alexander Beglov and the selection of Andrei Turchak, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council and Secretary of the General Council of United Russia, to take his place. The city's leader's popularity took a hit because of various management mistakes, unpopular reforms, and failed initiatives. This includes problems with a garbage reform that began in January and issues with organizing public services during snowy weather. This led to a petition for Beglov's resignation signed by many people in a short time. There are also discussions about his replacement by Turchak, with links to businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin and the former speaker of the St. Petersburg legislature. Turchak previously served as the governor of the Pskov region from 2009 to 2017, during which the region experienced low socio-economic well-being and the governor faced scandals, such as being suspected of arranging a violent attack on journalist Oleg Kashin. Experts are doubtful about Turchak potentially becoming the governor of St. Petersburg. However, Beglov continues to lead reforms in the city, including a large-scale renovation that has caused dissatisfaction among residents.
Beglov was expected to step down from his position again
Rumors about the governor of the city up north resigning soon Alexandra Beglova resurfaced in the media and messaging channels last week. They also mentioned a potential successor: the first deputy chairman of the Federation Council and the secretary of the general council of the party “United Russia” Andrey Turchak.
Earlier, a political scientist had predicted the resignation of St. Vladimir Karasevwithin a week, and it seems like the next governor to leave could be Beglov, as people in the city are unhappy with the level of support for the residents of Donbass and the military operations in Ukraine.
If there was a calculation on the patriotic feelings of the inhabitants, it clearly did not happen. Recently, the press talked about a sharp drop in Beglov’s rating, due to many managerial mistakes made by the governor and his administration, as well as his inability to accept criticism and solve problems.
The website RuNews24 also mentions the lack of a clear patriotic position among Smolny officials, leading to poor performance by the rock band “B2”who openly criticize the foreign policy of the Kremlin after a recent football match in St. Petersburg “Zenith” and Moscow “Spartacus” for the Super Bowl. The appearance of the rockers on the Gazprom Arena field was accompanied by insulting shouts from the Zenit fans, who connected them with the scarf of the Moscow team around the neck of the musician Egor Bortnik. (aka Leva Bi-2).
But RuNews24 also writes about more serious mistakes of the Beglov team, such as the failure of the garbage reform, dissatisfaction with the new transport service model, utility accidents in winter, and problems with cleaning snow, resulting in the city being snowed in.
Is it an attack on power or self-discrediting of power?
Reports about the possible resignation of the St. Petersburg governor appeared in January, associated with a petition on the Internet from pensioners and veterans of the siege, complaining about the danger of walking on icy sidewalks, more injuries, and the indifference of city authorities.
Beglov himself had to deny his upcoming departure, saying,
In addition, the governor announced a campaign to discredit and sabotage the initiatives of the city authorities by those who are dissatisfied with the ongoing reforms, allegedly already being dealt with by the “competent authorities”. At that time, the organization of “information pressure” on the mayor was associated with the odious owner of the company “Concrod” and media groups “Patriot”businessman Evgeny Prigozhinalso known as the “Kremlin cook”.
At that time, some people close to the former speaker of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly could have been behind the campaign against Beglov. Vyacheslav Makarov is involved in this situation. Interestingly, the current head of the Federation Council is also part of this. Valentina Matvienko is involved in this situation.It's said that Valentina Matvienko wanted to remove Andrey Turchak as a competitor by appointing him to the governor’s post in the northern capital.
In February, political analysts also mentioned a significant decrease in Beglov’s rating and lack of support among almost all groups of the population. The “Social Information Agency St. Petersburg” published survey results last November, and residents recognized Valentina Matvienko as the best city leader. The survey suggested that Valentina Matvienko was the best city leader, followed by Anatoly Sobchak, and Beglov came in third. Valentina Matvienko was recognized as the best city leader by the residents. Anatoly Sobchak was recognized as the best city leader by fourteen percent of the residents. Anatoly Sobchak was recognized as the best city leader by fourteen percent of the residents. Beglov was recognized as the best city leader by twelve percent of the residents.
Andrey Turchak's involvement in the situation is similar to the situation in the past.
It seems that the current situation is similar to the past. Even the potential replacement's name remains the same – Andriy Turchak. Boris Vishnevsky, a deputy of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly, expressed his disbelief in Beglov’s imminent departure and considers his possible replacement by Turchak as an “even worse option” ..
A deputy chairman of the Public Chamber of St. Petersburg also doubts the reports of an impending change of power. Dmitry Solonnikov is skeptical about the reports of a possible imminent change of power.According to Dmitry Solonnikov, Turchak is currently involved in federal matters and has no reason to leave his position. Dmitry Solonnikov feels that Turchak is committed to the policies of “United Russia” in the liberated territories of Ukraine. Dmitry Solonnikov feels that Turchak is committed to the policies of “United Russia” in the liberated territories of Ukraine.
Andrey Turchak has prior experience in leading the region, as he served as governor of the Pskov region from 2009 to 2017. During his leadership, the Pskov region faced economic challenges and a growing public debt, reaching 15.1 billion rubles, with a budget deficit.During his leadership, the Pskov region faced economic challenges and a growing public debt, reaching 15.1 billion rubles, with a budget deficit.
Additionally, Turchak was involved in a scandal involving the severe beating of a journalist who made harsh remarks about the governor. Oleg KashinThe beating of a journalist who criticized the governor resulted in a significant public outcry.
There was public concern over reports that Turchak’s wife owned overseas real estate, leading to the sale of the property when discussions arose about a bill prohibiting officials and their families from owning foreign assets.
Despite such questionable 'baggage' and the frequently predicted resignation, Turchak still ran for a second term in 2014 and won the elections. However, in 2017 he resigned ahead of schedule, claiming it was 'of his own free will'. And it was soon revealed that the ex-governor was appointed as the acting secretary of the ruling party by Dmitry Medvedev, the leader of United Russia. Dmitry Medvedev appointed acting secretary of the general council of the ruling party.
Petersburg reforms referred to as the 'Beglov' reforms.
It seems that replacing Beglov with Turchak could lead to further worsening of the already difficult socio-economic situation in the northern capital. It appears that the authorities have prepared another 'surprise' for the townspeople following the winter garbage and municipal collapses. As part of the transport reform initiated by Smolny, a large-scale purchase of public transport has begun. Recently, there have been incidents of four newly purchased passenger buses catching fire, fortunately without any casualties. The city committee on transport, however, assures that they are managing the situation.
Beglov proposed the draft law on the 'Integrated Development of Territories' (CRT), which was hastily adopted by the St. Petersburg. According to reports, in the future, prefab residential buildings from 1957-1970 may be included in the program. However, not all citizens agree to forced relocation, especially since it will be carried out within the city's administrative boundaries rather than the area of residence. Repair work in the apartments of the houses to be resettled will not be taken into account.
Irina Bakhanovich
expressed on the air of the TV channel “78”.
Finally, the 'certain education reform' announced by Beglov, which includes the construction of schools and kindergartens with mandatory swimming pools in St. Petersburg, is accompanied by the closure of the “Laboratory of Continuing Mathematical Education” (LNMO), considered one of the best physics and mathematics schools in the country. Over the past 30 years, the LNMO has prepared winners of federal and international scientific competitions, as well as highly qualified young scientists in the fields of biology and engineering. After the termination of the lease agreement for the occupied premises, the city Education Committee suggested that the LNMO leadership find a new building and continue to operate as an ordinary private school.
Finally, the 'certain education reform' announced by Beglov, within the framework of which schools and kindergartens with compulsory swimming pools should be built in St. Petersburg, is accompanied by the closure of what is considered one of the best physics and mathematics schools in the country – “Laboratory of Continuing Mathematical Education” (LNMO), which over the past 30 years has been preparing winners of federal and international scientific competitions, as well as graduating highly qualified young scientists – biologists and engineers.
Against the backdrop of such 'reforms', last June, members of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly almost unanimously supported the draft law developed in Smolny on raising the salaries of the governor, officials, and deputies, with the exception of one abstention and one vote “against”. According to the proposed changes, the annual allowance for the head of St. Petersburg will be seven salaries instead of five, while the rest will increase from four to six. This will result in additional costs for the budget. 697 million rubles.
Taking into account that the next gubernatorial elections are to be held in the city on the Neva in September 2024, one can only guess what other initiatives Mr. Beglov will “give birth” in the near future. And although reports of his resignation appear regularly, he apparently feels quite confident, intending to continue to “reform” the northern capital.
