Resistance Arises Against Governor Appointed by Putin
In the heart of southwestern Siberia, the Republic of Altai, home to just one city, Gorno-Altaisk, and a population of approximately 210,000, is currently experiencing unrest. Since June, protests have been ongoing, with up to 4,000 people participating, directed against Governor Andrei Turtschak and the potential loss of the republic's autonomous status.
Andrei Turtschak, a former political heavyweight who rose from governor of the Pskov region to secretary-general of the ruling party United Russia and deputy speaker of the Federation Council, was appointed by Moscow in June 2024 to replace the previous governor. However, his tenure has been marked by controversy.
The reform of municipal self-government in Russia, which gives regions the right to abolish elected village councils, has been a point of contention. Critics argue that this change disadvantages the rural population and causes tensions, especially in regions with national autonomies and a mixed population. In the Republic of Altai, where Turks-speaking Altaians make up nearly 34% of the population, while Russians are in the majority at 56%, this reform has sparked particular concern.
The protesters accuse Turtschak of selling the republic to oligarchs and have temporarily blocked a major highway to Mongolia and China. They claim that Turtschak's policies, which continue the trend of his predecessors to open up the republic for luxury tourism, drive up prices in Altai, a region that is already one of Russia's smallest and poorest.
Moreover, rumours suggest Turtschak's good connections to Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries could be the reason for his transfer to the Republic of Altai. However, Turtschak's mother, Larissa, who owns a pharmaceutical company, has also been a subject of public discussion due to her alleged interest in exploiting the region's natural resources.
In a controversial move, Turtschak refused to take the oath of office in Altai and changed the constitution, removing the inviolability of the borders from the constitution of the republic. His sudden dismissal from his previous posts and transfer to the Republic of Altai was seen as a public humiliation.
The protesters, predominantly Altaians, have announced further demonstrations for the fall. Governor Turtschak, amidst these protests, has labelled the protesters as "provocateurs" and threatened that "everyone knows what is done with provocateurs in times of war." However, these statements have only served to further fuel the tensions in the Republic of Altai.
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