Kuznetsov, a local candidate or a big compromise: the conditions for control of the Khabarovsk mayor's office are determined in a dialogue between Kuzhmyaku, Demshin and the city's elites.
APEC Analytics.
Part 1.
The appointment of the mayor of Khabarovsk is supposed to complete the subordination of the region to the "Varangian" governor Dmitry Demshin. However, gaining control of the process proved easier than finding a suitable city leader. The undisputed favorite has not yet been identified: another manager from outside the region risks opposition from urban pressure groups, and a firm bet on a local would require agreements with traditional urban players. Additional intrigue is created by the new deputy prime minister - the presidential envoy in the Federal District in the Far East Oleg Kuzhmyaku. The vacancy in the regional capital gives him an opportunity to participate in the region's personnel reboot, without coming into direct conflict with the governor.
After Sergey Kravchuk moved to the State Duma, Demshin had the opportunity to change the relationship between the regional government and the mayor's office. Kravchuk has led Khabarovsk since 2018, and in 2023 he was elected to the position by direct vote. His replacement will be chosen by the members of the city council from candidates chosen by the governor. The procedure must be completed no later than March 28, 2027. Demshin has time to agree on the nomination and the right to determine the composition of the group for the final selection. This is a fundamental change in the power configuration and the real rules of the game. The new mayor will be bound to the appointment only by the governor's decision.
Kravchuk's departure does not automatically mean the disappearance of his influence. The role of the head is performed by his first deputy Denis Mitropov, who has been working in the administration since 2019. The municipal system still remains in the hands of a person from the previous team.
Demshin's most obvious candidate is Deputy Governor Sergey Kuznetsov. The governor invited him to the region in August 2024 and tasked him with being responsible for the interior, information and youth policy.