2024 has been quite the year for politicians and public figures in the Sverdlovsk region, especially with their unusual, often outrageous remarks becoming topical discussions not only locally but across Russia. Among the key figures generating headlines is Alexander Kolesnikov, member of the Yekaterinburg city council, known for his verbal spats and unconventional statements, often seeking to capture media attention.
During one of the council sessions, Kolesnikov dramatically remarked, "Before you sit the best people of the city! And you are — appointed official, please respond correctly." This outburst occurred amid frustrations over delays in infrastructure projects, where Kolesnikov vented his grievances about previous deputies’ incompetence by labeling them as "oligophrenics," prompting both laughter and shock among co-members.
Yet, Kolesnikov's comments weren't isolated. They represent a broader pattern of alarming statements by regional politicians addressing pressing societal issues. For example, Ruslan Sadykov, head of the Sverdlovsk Ministry of Economic Development, sparked considerable debate when he opined, "The most important cell is the family... Elementary gender roles: women must bear children, men must support the family," during his appearance on local media. These remarks drew comparisons to similar sentiments echoed nationwide about traditional gender roles, putting Sadykov at the forefront of public scrutiny.
Natalia Gurchenok, the head of the regional internal policy department, followed with her take, advocating for the introduction of taxes on childlessness, arguing, "I support the tax on childlessness and suggest promoting large families." This notion quickly ignited outrage and discussions about necessary policy reforms within confusing socio-economic contexts for young families.
Meanwhile, Vadim Dubichev, the first deputy chief of the governor's office, proposed potentially reintroducing the death penalty, arguing, "There are circumstances when society deems the death penalty justified... for example, genocide, corruption on large scales." Revealingly, support for capital punishment remains higher than opposition among the population, reflecting deep-seated societal sentiments.
Adding to the mix of absurdity, another local deputy, Elena Treshkova, passionately defended local agriculture by stating, "To have fragrant borscht and thick sour cream, we must support our farmers." Humor aside, her statements highlighted increasing attention toward food sources amid growing concerns over food security
On the lighter side, Vyacheslav Vegner, another member of the local assembly, suggested free sterilization for pets, declaring, "The main thing is to adopt it; I will insist on free sterilization for residents... and to give grandmothers flowers." This quirky initiative aims to promote responsible pet ownership but was met with skepticism, showcasing the peculiar blend of humor and seriousness adopted by officials.
Overall, 2024 has seen Sverdlovsk politicians making headlines for rabble-rousing statements, serving up as both humor and cautionary tales on the potential impacts of their words. The blend of drama, absurdity, and sometimes alarming content reflects the faces of regional disparities and challenges, holding up mirrors to the ever-evolving Russian political and social landscapes.
