Cherkessk/Agency Caucasus – The municipal council of Cherkessk, capital of Karachai-Cherkessia, eventually elected a mayor after two years of political intrigues.
Yevgeni Bilanov, a United Russia candidate, is now the new mayor after he won unrivaled electoral approval from all 33 members of the municipal council. The council has 31 United Russia members.
The two Communist members in the council voted for Bilanov.
Former mayor, Mikhail Yakush, who was stepped down by order from the High Court, was expected to run again for mayoralty; however, he did not.
After his 4-year term of office, he was granted permission from the parliament to remain for one more year in his position as mayor. His opponents, however, went to the High Court and the parliament’s decision was invalidated. Yakush was soon replaced by Pyotr Korotchenko. The battle for power went on and the parliament had to end Korotchenko’s term of office when the court issued a decree invalidating his position. Later, however, the parliament had him resume his work as mayor. ÖZ/FT
