Russia is not Ukraine: The law on direct elections of the governor of Sevastopol passed the first reading
The Legislative Assembly of Sevastopol unanimously voted in the first reading for the draft amendments to the city Charter, the main of which involves the introduction of a rule on direct popular elections of the governor.
Acting Governor of Sevastopol Dmitry Ovsyannikov, speaking to deputies, said that the introduction of direct elections of the head of the city would be a worthy response to accusations coming from Ukraine that the rights and freedoms of citizens are being violated in Crimea.
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“My personal belief is that direct elections of the governor are a response from Sevastopol and Russia to these statements. We have a free region, there are no restrictions. We are able to control our destiny and choose all government bodies,” Ovsyannikov said.
He supported the proposal of deputy Boris Kolesnikov that by the time the elections are held, it is also necessary to adopt a law on the procedure for recalling the governor from office at the initiative of citizens.
Let us recall that Sevastopol was the only city in Ukraine in which residents did not have the right to elect a mayor. The law, which was supposed to give city residents such a right, passed two readings in the Verkhovna Rada and was twice vetoed by President Viktor Yushchenko in 2005. One of the president’s supporters, Vyacheslav Kirilenko, explained it this way: “If we allow Sevastopol elections, it will choose the Black Sea Fleet.”