Novosibirsk city council voted to strip the powers of deputies designated as foreign agents. The amendment to the city charter passed in two readings during the session, a procedural move that signals the council’s intention to tighten eligibility rules for officials who appear on the foreign agent register. Supporters argued that the changes strengthen the city’s political integrity by ensuring public officials are fully aligned with domestic legal standards. Opponents raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the foreign agent restrictions, noting that the registers can be fluid and influenced by political tides. The outcome means the council must now decide whether those designated as foreign agents should continue to serve in the chamber, especially when the measure could affect key committees and the balance of power. The action underscores a broader pattern observed across regional governments, where leadership seeks to align governance with federal rules that regulate external influence. The decision to deprive one or more deputies of their authority will be finalized at the next session of the city House of Representatives, and observers anticipate a contentious debate ahead according to ura.ru.
Specifically, deputies Anton Kartavin and Svetlana Kaverzina, branded as foreign agents, continue to serve in the city council. They currently remain members of the council, but the amendment enables a formal process to revoke their powers should the next session endorse such a measure. The two names have been at the center of debates about political allegiance, information security, and regulatory compliance. The forthcoming discussion by the city House of Representatives is expected to weigh questions about eligibility, the reliability of public mandates, and the impact on votes in important committees. The episode illustrates how regional bodies are translating federal provisions into municipal practice, a trend that attracts attention from observers and international audiences alike, according to ura.ru.
Meanwhile in Komi, the State Council took a similar path, voting to early terminate the powers of Viktor Vorobyov, a deputy from the Communist Party, with the termination to take effect on November 11. Sergei Usachev, who chairs the Council of State, reminded legislators that a lawful framework introduced on May 15, 2024, permits such early terminations if representatives are not removed from the foreign agents register within 180 days from the law’s effective date. The Komi decision highlights how the 180-day window applies across regions, creating a uniform timeline for authorities to act when status changes occur. Critics question the pace and political motivation behind these moves, while supporters view them as necessary steps to preserve official conduct under national rules. The broader context shows a federal approach being applied in a granular way to keep public institutions insulated from foreign influence, as reported by ura.ru.
Roskomnadzor issued an explanation in early October about the tagging of foreign artists on streaming and music services. The agency’s press service said broadcasting platforms and copyright holders must adhere to Russian law and include clear labels indicating foreign representative status for works by artists who carry that designation. The practical effect is to inform listeners and readers about the official status of content originators, aligning media presentation with regulatory expectations. In practice, labels help producers, distributors, and broadcasters meet legal obligations while sparing audiences from ambiguity in attribution. The policy reflects a broader objective to regulate cultural content in a way that is consistent with national security and information governance, as reported by ura.ru.
Earlier, another member of the State Duma was deprived of powers after transitioning to a new job. Such cases illustrate how official authority can be redefined when career changes intersect with statutory provisions on foreign agent status. Observers note that these actions create a ripple effect, influencing committee assignments, staffing, and the perception of accountability among voters. The pattern shows an ongoing effort to implement federal rules at the regional level, shaping the composition of political bodies across Russia. The facts come from local coverage and emphasize how leaving one role or taking a different position can trigger formal power removals in line with the latest regulations, according to ura.ru.