Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zaporozhye Region Acting Governor Yevgeny Balitsky during a meeting in the Kremlin. Photo: Mikhail Klimentyev / Press Service of the President of the Russian Federation / TASS
Vladimir Putin met with the leaders of the LPR and Zaporizhzhya already in the dead of night, after a video speech on the BRICS and a discussion on national programs. Broadcast talks appeared after one in the morning.
The further away, the more meetings with officials from the new territories resemble traditional governors’ briefings. If in December the acting head of the LPR, Leonid Pasechnik, still complained about multimillion-dollar salary arrears and called for subsidies for firewood, he now confidently reported on successes, progress and plans for the distant future.
– Somewhere on the territory of the republic and in the vicinity (by the way – Ed.) The line of contact, where, in general, a full-fledged war is going on. However, a certain stability and yet a predictable situation allow us to fulfill the tasks we face,” Pasechnik reported.
Acting head of the LPR Leonid Pasechnik during a meeting with the President. Photo: Mikhail Klimentyev / Press Service of the President of the Russian Federation / TASS
First of all, of course, it means holding elections.
“Our main task in this direction is to provide an opportunity for all residents to make their choice, cast their vote for their candidate,” the official said.
By the way, the inhabitants of the LNR will not directly elect the head of the region. A law was recently signed according to which the head of the republic is appointed by local deputies in a secret ballot from among three candidates presented by the president.
– As for the upcoming elections, it is not an easy task, I understand, to organize this work on your terms, but with the support of the federal center, of course you will do it, I don’t even have any doubts. about it. Therefore, I wish you all the best, we will definitely help you, – said Vladimir Vladimirovich.
The President clearly showed who he himself sympathizes with among the three mandatory candidates.
Zaporozhye Acting Governor Yevgeny Balitsky also spoke about the upcoming vote.
– 87% support today we have in the Zaporozhye region as the leader of the country; the party that you and I lead, each in his own place – “United Russia” has 71%. In the elections, we are confident that United Russia will get a well-deserved result for the work that is being done today,” the official said.
In the region, by the way, there will be no direct elections for governor either. There they are appointed by local deputies.
– I’m sure you can do it. I see that your entire team is mobilized in the best sense of the word. I really hope that people will see it, feel it, despite all the difficulties of the situation in which both people have to live and you have to work, – supported Vladimir Vladimirovich.
Balitsky told the president about his long-term plans:
– When we advance to the front line, we will have a very good income from what we will receive from transit through the Zaporozhye region.
– We have four districts out of 13 that have not yet been gasified, partially not gasified, this is the south – Primorsky district and above. This work (on gasification – Ed.) still had to be done. We will have gasification, I honestly say, up to 100%, – added the acting governor.
