As Russia prepares for the impact of economic sanctions, four regional governors resigned on Tuesday.
The governors of Tomsk, Saratov, Kirov, and Mari El announced their immediate resignations, while the governor of Ryazan stated he would not seek re-election.
In September, elections will be held in each of the five regions.
Regional governors in Russia are elected, but they are politically subordinate to the Kremlin. Several of the outgoing governors represent districts where United Russia, the ruling party, received low vote shares in last year’s parliamentary elections.
Governors who are unpopular are frequently removed from office, with a cluster of resignations occurring in the spring months.
According to Ilya Grashchenkov, chairman of the Moscow-based Centre for the Development of Regional Politics, the Kremlin is dismissing weak governors as the country’s economic outlook worsens due to Western sanctions.
“There is a need to reform the economy,” Grashchenkov added, “, particularly in those places where Western economic influence has been substantial.” These governors should be replaced with fresher candidates.”
According to the Russian economy ministry, the Russian economy would decrease by 8.8% in 2022.
