In all likelihood, the Social Democratic Party will, this evening, appoint its vice chairman and parliament member Yevgeni Ossinovsky (26) to run for Mayor in Narva.
Soc Dems send top gun to take Narva
4th February 2013, 12:08
Please note that the article is more than five years old and belongs to our archive. We do not update the content of the archives, so it may be necessary to consult newer sources.
«Certainly the biggest problem for Narva – and for some other cities as well, for sure – is the lack of genuine democratic politics. There is no effective opposition in Narva city council, and opposition deputies are so few in number that they have no way of impacting the activities of the city government. Therefore, the local public has no idea actually, what the money is being spent for and who spends it, what the priorities are,» said Mr Ossinovsky.
There is essentially no democratic discussion in Narva, Ossinovsky thinks, resulting in corruption in city government and criminal offences related to office, as the assumption is that «we are the supreme power anyhow» locally.
«It’s not only a matter of supremacy of the government in Narva or anywhere else, but no-one has, for a long time, seriously attempted to restore democracy in Narva. It’s high time somebody do that,» said Mr Ossinovsky.
At last local elections of 2009, the Centre Party (Keskerakond) took 77 per cent of votes in Narva; Social Democrats got five per cent.
«We are positive, that, even if we fail to take power this time around, we will definitely establish a strong opposition,» said Mr Ossinovsky.
Considering the more and less ethical means at the city authorities’ disposal – such as the weekly free-of-charge propaganda paper and direct links between party membership and employment at city government – it is, according to Mr Ossinovsky, difficult to defeat the Centre Party in Narva. However, the Soc Dems will give it their best try.
«People can’t be fooled forever with a free newspaper,» Mr Ossinovsky believes.