The head of Buryatia, Alexey Tsydenov, has put forward a plan to drop direct mayoral elections in Ulan-Ude and has submitted a bill to the republic’s People’s Khural for consideration. The proposal moves the city toward selecting its chief official not through a direct vote by residents but by the municipal representative body. Members of the competition commission would present the pool of candidates, from which the city’s governing council would elect the mayor. The intent behind this shift is to streamline governance and potentially reduce the costs associated with high-profile local elections, while still ensuring that the mayor holds public legitimacy through selection by elected representatives.
The bill from Tsydenov is scheduled for discussion at the upcoming session of the People’s Khural of Buryatia, set for February 29. This timing places the proposal at the center of political conversations ahead of a broader public debate about how local leadership should be chosen in the republic. Supporters argue that the proposed mechanism could provide stability and continuity in municipal governance, particularly during challenging economic periods, while critics worry that indirect elections might distance the mayor from direct accountability to residents.
Chimit Balzhinimaev, who chairs the Ulan-Ude City Council, described Tsydenov’s initiative as overdue and urged stakeholders to balance pragmatic governance with political considerations. He emphasized that in a difficult environment, resources should be focused on essential services and that the current competitive method of selecting a mayor represents a prudent, cost-conscious approach. Balzhinimaev added that the competitive process, when properly implemented, can maintain efficacy and public trust without the expense and logistical complexities often associated with broad direct elections.
In related developments, Anatoly Lokot, the former mayor of Novosibirsk, recently announced his departure from office to pursue a new professional opportunity. His exit underscores a wider trend of leaders transitioning to different roles and potentially setting the stage for broader debates about leadership selection and political renewal in large regional centers. While Lokot’s case is specific, it contributes to a context in which urban administration transitions can influence how residents perceive governance, accountability, and the political viability of alternative electoral models.
Observers note that the discussion around mayoral selection methods in Ulan-Ude intersects with reactions from other regions and international analysts. Some commentators, including political scientists from the United States, have offered viewpoints on Russia’s electoral processes and their implications for local governance. These perspectives contribute to a broader dialogue about how municipalities balance citizen input with administrative efficiency, and how changes to electoral procedures might affect political participation, transparency, and the distribution of power at the local level.