Public primaries in all Donetsk districts are scheduled for September and October, the Donetsk News Service reported Monday, citing the leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR), Alexander Zakharchenko.
“Citizens of the [republic's] capital will choose the most worthy candidates for participation in local elections, provided by the Minsk agreements,” Zakharchenko was quoted as saying by the Donetsk News Service.
According to an unidentified source close to the republic’s leader, the decision to hold primaries was made during Zakharchenko’s Sunday meeting with President Vladimir Putin's aide Vladislav Surkov, who approved the idea.
The public primaries as a democratic and open procedure “will cause a positive reaction in Russia, the European Union and the United States,” according to Denis Pushilin, chairman of the DNR People’s Council, Donetsk News Service reported.
If the primaries are successful in Donetsk, they will be also conducted in the republic's other large cities.
Elections may be carried out by the end of the year or in the first half of the next year, Zakharchenko said, Donetsk News Service reported.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
