First Secretary of the regional Communist Party, Aleksandr Novikov, confirms that he has been invited to take part in the new structure, his party’s website informs.
The Council of Political Parties will be established directly under Governor Ilya Mikhalchuk, Severinform.ru reports.
Officially, the new council is to “facilitate efficient and constructive dialogue between the regional executive powers and all political parties registered in the region”. It will also help “consolidate efforts on creating conditions for increased life standards among northerners”, the website informs.
Aleksandr Novikov sees the new council as the regional administration’s response to the recent protest meeting held 21 February. Then, as reported by BarentsObserver, about 3000 people gather in the central city square to protest against the regional administration and its policies.
As reported by newspaper Pravda Severa, Governor Mikhalchuk’s regional administration is now also seeking to include public organizations in discussions on social developments. According to a decree signed on 2 March, a working group with representatives of regional ministries and public organizations will established to find ways to handle the growing social tariffs in the region.
