Khabarovsk Abolishes Direct Mayoral Elections
On October 20, the Yakutsk City Duma canceled direct mayoral elections. The Yakutsk City Duma adopted a new city charter that abolishes direct mayoral elections.
Consensus
- The city of Khabarovsk has abolished direct mayoral elections.
- The city council will now elect the mayor based on a nomination from the governor of the region.
- This change was made in accordance with a new federal law on local self-government passed in 2025.
- The reform aligns with the updated 2020 Constitution of Russia.
- Khabarovsk was one of only three regional capitals where mayors were previously elected directly.
- After the change, only two regional capitals—Abakan and Anadyr—still have directly elected mayors.
- Sergei Kravchuk, the former mayor of Khabarovsk, left office after being elected to the State Duma in September 2024.
- The new city charter was approved by the city council and passed public hearings.
- The city council speaker, Andrey Beloglazov, referenced a historical precedent from 123 years ago when city officials were elected by 'aldermen' (glasnye).
Points of divergence
- The reform effectively abolished direct mayoral elections in regional capitals, replacing them with a 'governor model' where the regional head nominates candidates and the city council selects the mayor. — tg_istories_media
- Federal Law No. 33-FZ, enacted on March 20, 2025, allows regions to opt out of direct mayoral elections, with the mayor being elected by local deputies from candidates proposed by the regional head. — tg_astrapress
- The new city charter was adopted on October 20. — tg_horizontal_russia
- The city's mayor's oath and deputies' pledge were also approved. — tg_astrapress
- The changes passed public hearings with citizen participation. — tvrain
Coverage (15 sources)
- What did NeMoscow say on October 20? We are drawing conclusions from Tuesday — Говорит НеМосква
- In Khabarovsk, direct mayoral elections were canceled: the city's head will be chosen by deputies — SOTAvision
- Direct mayoral elections were cancelled in one of Russia's last major cities — The Moscow Times
- Direct mayoral elections were canceled in Khabarovsk. Now only two regional centers in Russia remain where such a procedure is preserved... — Важные истории
- Direct mayoral elections in Khabarovsk were canceled — ЭХО / Новости
- Direct elections for the head of the city in Khabarovsk were cancelled — Настоящее Время
- Habarovsk city deputies canceled direct mayoral elections on October 20; Habarovsk city council adopted new charter... — 7х7 — Горизонтальная Россия
- In Khabarovsk adopted a new city charter that does not provide for direct mayoral elections — ASTRA
- Direct elections for the mayor of Khabarovsk were canceled — Дождь
- Direct mayoral elections in Khabarovsk were canceled — Новая газета Европа
- Direct elections for the mayor of Khabarovsk were canceled — Дождь (Telegram)
- City Duma deputies in Khabarovsk canceled direct mayoral elections — 7х7 — Горизонтальная Россия
- Direct mayoral elections in Khabarovsk were cancelled — Говорит НеМосква
- Direct mayoral elections in Khabarovsk were cancelled — Сибирь.Реалии
- Direct elections for the mayor of Khabarovsk were cancelled — Интерфакс