Nikora, who has served as leader of the regional party organization since 2008, resigns because of “irregularities conducted in connection with the August 6 election of new city mayor in Murmansk”, MBnews.ru reports. According to Nikora, the United Russia party statutes were violated in the process of appointing new city leader.
As previously reported, direct elections on the post as Murmansk Mayor were this summer abolished, and a system of appointed city managers instead introduced.
The United Russia’s presidium is reported to already have accepted the resignation. Without the leading post in the party, Nikora might eventually also have to resign from the post as chairman of the regional parliament, the Duma.
Igor Saburov will now serve as acting leader of the regional party branch. He has until now worked as Nikora’s deputy, MBnews.ru writes. Nikora will continue to work in the regional parliament, B-port.com writes. However, that might be as a regular deputy.
Yevgeny Nikora has been an active and modern leader of the regional parliament. His professional handling of the media has made him one of the most quoted men in the region and his openness and fluency in the English language quickly turned him into a key person in international cooperation in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region.
