战略与国际研究中心-PONARS-Policy-Memo-158_4页_137kb

Gubernatorial Elections in the Volgograd Region: Do They Matter?

Core Content

The document analyzes the 2000 gubernatorial elections in the Volgograd region of Russia, focusing on the interplay between economic power, political strategy, and the emergence of new political actors. It highlights how the transformation of the Russian federal system under President Vladimir Putin and the economic revival have reshaped the political landscape, allowing new players with substantial financial resources to influence regional politics.

Main Political Players

• Yevgeny Ischenko: A young, previously unknown politician who won the 1999 mayoral and Duma elections using a large-scale campaign with new technologies. He was backed by the MDM-bank, which was linked to Aleksandr Mamut and Boris Yeltsin's political "family."
• Oleg Savchenko: A former athlete and chairman of a Volzhsky enterprise, who took over Ischenko's campaign machinery and ran for governor in 2000. His campaign is characterized by strong nationalist rhetoric, particularly against the Chechen diaspora.
• Nikolai Maksyuta: The incumbent governor, previously a Communist candidate in 1996, who now relies on support from LUKoil, a major oil company that dominates the regional economy.

Key Economic and Political Factors

• Property and Power: In Russia, economic power is closely tied to political influence. The Volgograd region has seen a shift in power from traditional political elites to new economic actors.
• MDM-Bank's Role: The MDM-bank, associated with Mamut and Yeltsin's circle, has played a crucial role in the region's economic restructuring and political campaigns.
• LUKOil's Dominance: LUKoil has established total control over the regional economy, including key enterprises and infrastructure, and is a major political ally of Maksyuta.

Nationalist Rhetoric and Campaign Strategy

• Savchenko's Approach: Savchenko adopted a nationalist strategy, similar to Putin's, to gain public support. He criticized the local authorities for their "irresponsible" policies toward the Chechen diaspora, suggesting that they had allowed the region to become a base for Chechen rebels.
• Chechen Diaspora Issue: The issue of Chechen presence in the region was used as a political tool, with Savchenko accusing the authorities of enabling Chechen "bandits" to control profitable sectors.
• Propaganda and Media Influence: Savchenko's campaign utilized a significant propaganda machine, which included control over regional TV through changes in appointment rules, allowing his messages to reach a broader audience.

Implications of the Elections

• Lack of Civil Society: The document argues that the elections reflect a lack of civil society in Russia. Voters are not making informed decisions but are being influenced by financial resources and media campaigns.
• Electoral Manipulation: The outcome of the elections is more a reflection of the financial and technological advantages of certain groups rather than genuine political will or public interest.
• Federal System Reforms: The reformation of the federal system has primarily focused on relations between federal and regional authorities, neglecting the relationship between the state and civil society.

Conclusion

The 2000 gubernatorial elections in Volgograd highlight the growing influence of economic power in political processes. While the elections may appear democratic, they are largely shaped by financial backing and media manipulation, rather than substantive political discourse or public engagement. The document suggests that without a strong civil society, the Russian political system remains vulnerable to instability and manipulation. It also notes that Putin's interest in local governance, as demonstrated by his engagement with Solzhenitsyn, may signal a shift toward recognizing the importance of civil society in the country's development.