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A remote patch of Russian Arctic became the only region to vote against Putin staying in power until 2036.
In one of its villages, on the Arctic ocean, 17 out of 32 voters turned out to vote. The NO vote carried with 100%.
Story from yesterday: https://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKKBN2432ZW?__twitter_impression=true
In one of its villages, on the Arctic ocean, 17 out of 32 voters turned out to vote. The NO vote carried with 100%.
Story from yesterday: https://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKKBN2432ZW?__twitter_impression=true
Aka, “the seventeen modern-day heroes of the Nenets Autonomous Region”, as one resident described them.
The reason for the protest vote was a planned merger of the region with its neighbor, Arkhangelsk.
Tatyana Antipina, a local businesswoman, travelled on the penultimate day of the vote to Moscow to bring the Kremlin 15,000 signatures against the merger.
Tatyana Antipina, a local businesswoman, travelled on the penultimate day of the vote to Moscow to bring the Kremlin 15,000 signatures against the merger.
She explained some reasons why Nenets region opposes the merger, and why it voted NO:
- fear of losing autonomy, becoming one of the proposed ‘federal territories’ subordinate to Moscow
- and of effect on cultural identity
- and on things like subsidies for reindeer herding
- fear of losing autonomy, becoming one of the proposed ‘federal territories’ subordinate to Moscow
- and of effect on cultural identity
- and on things like subsidies for reindeer herding
For example (thought this was fascinating! couldn’t squeeze in to story)
Milk producers in Nenets region are subsidized at 43 roubles per liter to support local agriculture
Arkhangelsk’s producers are supported at 3 roubles per liter
Milk producers in Nenets region are subsidized at 43 roubles per liter to support local agriculture
Arkhangelsk’s producers are supported at 3 roubles per liter
Protests against the merger have been going on for some time.
Olga, a resident of the region, has been taking part in daily protets since the proposal was first made in May.
“I couldn’t sleep at all last night, was waiting for the results of the count” she said.
Olga, a resident of the region, has been taking part in daily protets since the proposal was first made in May.
“I couldn’t sleep at all last night, was waiting for the results of the count” she said.
On Nenets social media groups, people from across Russia left comments supporting the tiny region’s solo protest vote
“guess I’m moving to the Arctic” was the general theme
“guess I’m moving to the Arctic” was the general theme
UPDATE!
The acting governor of the Nenets Autonomous District, Yury Bezdudny, ruled out a merger with its larger neighbour on Friday >>
“These sentiments... were very serious... There is no plan to merge the regions,” he said. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-putin-vote-nenets/remote-russian-region-rules-out-merger-with-neighbour-after-no-vote-on-constitution-rbc-idUSKBN24422T
The acting governor of the Nenets Autonomous District, Yury Bezdudny, ruled out a merger with its larger neighbour on Friday >>
“These sentiments... were very serious... There is no plan to merge the regions,” he said. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-putin-vote-nenets/remote-russian-region-rules-out-merger-with-neighbour-after-no-vote-on-constitution-rbc-idUSKBN24422T
