2023 Khakassia head election

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| <- 2018 | 8–10 September 2023 | 2028 ->

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Turnout| 39.50%
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CPCR

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Candidate  | Valentin Konovalov | Mikhail Molchanov  | Vladimir Grudinin
Party  | CPRF | LDPR | Communists of Russia
Popular vote  | 98,278 | 22,302  | 18,614
Percentage  | 63.14% | 14.33%  | 11.96%

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| Head before election

Valentin Konovalov
CPRF

| Head-elect

Valentin Konovalov
CPRF

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The 2023 Khakassia head election took place on 8–10 September 2023, on common election day, coinciding with 2023 Khakassia Supreme Council election. Incumbent Head Valentin Konovalov was elected to a second term in office.[1]

## Background[edit]

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Communist Abakan City Council Member Valentin Konovalov won 44.81% and unexpectedly bested incumbent Head of the Republic of Khakassia Viktor Zimin, who took 32.42% of the vote, in September 2018.[2] Prior to the second round all candidates, except Konovalov, withdrew, so in an unprecedented single-candidate election Valentin Konovalov was elected Head of the republic with 57.6%.[3] At the age of 31, Konovalov also became one of the youngest governors in Russia. United Russia also lost its majority in the simultaneous Supreme Council election.[4]

Valentin Konovalov has been largely regarded as ineffective and inexperienced leader, as Khakassia's positions plummeted in socio-economical and governance ratings.[5] Konovalov's administration was rocked with scandals, including problems with housing and utilities and criminal cases against republican officials. So it was not surprising that rumours arose about Konovalov's early resignation. Among potential variants of Konovalov's ouster was his election to the State Duma, as a result he was added to the CPRF party list for the 2021 Russian legislative election, where he was placed second in a regional group, that included Khakassia, Krasnoyarsk Krai and Tomsk Oblast.[6] However, after the election the group received only one mandate which went to Krasnoyarsk businessman Ivan Babich.

The top candidate to replace Valentin Konovalov as Head of Khakassia is rumoured to be State Duma member Sergey Sokol.[5] Sokol, a former Rostec executive and high-ranking government official in Krasnoyarsk Krai and Irkutsk Oblast, had never lived in Khakassia, however in the 2021 elections he successfully stood as a candidate in Khakassia constituency. In 2022 Sergey Sokol also was elected as Secretary of the United Russia Regional Office in Khakassia.[7] In April 2023 Sokol returned to Khakassia after serving in the Russian Armed Forces since autumn 2022, and on 20 April during his visit to Abakan United Russia general secretary Andrey Turchak endorsed Sokol for the upcoming head election.[8] The same day Sokol publicly announced his decision to run, pitting a United Russia member against sitting governor for the first time since early 2000s.[9]

On 21 August, Meduza reported that Sokol is likely to lose to incumbent Valentin Konovalov. United Russia's leadership have shifted from promoting Sokol as a veteran of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, to an effective lobbyist, in an attempt to bolster his credentials. However, the Kremlin, in preparation for Sokol’s loss, is planning to cancel the election citing “allegations of falsifications.” The Central Election Commission has already criticized the local election commission for misusing administrative resources in July. Sokol will reportedly be given a “compensatory post” and new elections, this time run by United Russia, will be held. However, Meduza's source in the Presidential office stated that the government would accept a Konovalov victory, only if it was by a "siginifcant margin."[10][11]

Shortly after these allegations where levied, Sergey Sokol dropped out of the race on 2 September, citing "health problems."[12][13]

## Candidates[edit]

In Khakassia candidates for Head can be nominated only by registered political parties. Candidate for Head of the Republic of Khakassia should be a Russian citizen and at least 30 years old. Candidates for Head should not have a foreign citizenship or residence permit. Each candidate in order to be registered is required to collect at least 10% of signatures of members and heads of municipalities (126–132 signatures).[14] Also head candidates present 3 candidacies to the Federation Council and election winner later appoints one of the presented candidates.

### Registered[edit]

* Vladimir Grudinin (Communists of Russia), aerospace executive, community activist[15]
* Valentin Konovalov (CPRF), incumbent Head of the Republic of Khakassia (2018–present)[1][16]
* Mikhail Molchanov (LDPR), Member of Supreme Council of Khakassia (2022–present), aide to State Duma member Alexei Didenko[17][18]

### Withdrew after registration[edit]

* Sergey Sokol (United Russia), Member of State Duma (2020–present), former acting Governor of Irkutsk Oblast (2009) (withdrew on September 2, 2023 due to health issues)[19][9][20]

### Did not file[edit]

* Aleksey Khabarov (Rodina), chairman of Rodina regional office[21]
* Olga Shirkovets (SR–ZP), Member of Supreme Council of Khakassia (1996–2000, 2009–2013, 2018–present), journalist[22]

### Declined[edit]

* Abrek Cheltygmashev (United Russia), Head of Askizsky District (2002–present)[23] (running for Supreme Council)
* Yevgeny Cheltygmashev (United Russia), Member of Supreme Council of Khakassia (2019–present)[24] (running for reelection)
* Andrey Filyagin (SR–ZP), Member of Supreme Council of Khakassia (2018–present), 2018 head candidate[17] (switched to Independent, then – Communists of Russia) (running for Supreme Council)
* Aleksey Lyomin (United Russia), Mayor of Abakan (2019–present)[25]
* Innokentiy Stryapkov, Head of Beysky District (2019–present)[26]
* Irina Voynova (United Russia), Head of Altaysky District (2022–present), former Deputy Prime Minister of Khakassia (2018–2022)[27] (running for Supreme Council)
* Aleksandr Zhukov (United Russia), Senator from Khakassia (2019–present)[28] (running for reelection)[a]

### Candidates for Federation Council[edit]

* Vladimir Grudinin (Communists of Russia):
* Vladimir Kolesnikov
* Vitaly Ivanov
* Dmitry Solomkin

* Valentin Konovalov (CPRF):
* Igor Mamontov, advisor to Valentin Konovalov, former head of United Russia regional office executive committee (2015–2021)
* Valery Usatyuk, incumbent Senator from Khakassia (2018–present)
* Oleg Zemtsov, former Member of Abakan Council of Deputies (2008–2013), lawyer

* Mikhail Molchanov (LDPR):
* Vitaly Glebov, railroad depot employee
* Andrey Shashev, Member of Supreme Council of Khakassia (2018–present)
* Nikolay Vasilyev, businessman

* Sergey Sokol (United Russia):
* Abrek Cheltygmashev, Head of Askizsky District (2002–present)
* Sayana Kazygasheva, boxer
* Irina Sannikova, Member of Civic Chamber of Russia (2023–present), deputy director of Khakassia Nature Reserve

## Finances[edit]

All sums are in rubles.

Financial Report | Source | Grudinin | Khabarov | Konovalov | Molchanov | Shirkovets | Sokol

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First | [29] | 500,000 | 0 | 53,000 | 30,000 | 2,000 | 35,000,000
Final | 1,592,336 | 0 | 9,282,621 | 4,055,248 | 2,000 | 35,000,000

## Polls[edit]

Fieldwork date  | Polling firm  | Sokol  | Konovalov  | Molchanov  | Grudinin  | None  | Undecided  | Lead

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2 September 2023  | Sokol withdraws from the race
30–31 August 2023  | INSOMAR | 41% | 40% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 12%  | 1%

## Results[edit]

Summary of the 8–10 September 2023 Khakassia head election results  Candidate  | Party  | Votes  | %

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| Valentin Konovalov (incumbent) | Communist Party | 98,278 | 63.14
| Mikhail Molchanov  | Liberal Democratic Party | 22,302  | 14.33
| Vladimir Grudinin  | Communists of Russia | 18,614  | 11.96
Valid votes  | 139,194  | 89.43
Blank ballots  | 16,451  | 10.57
Total  | 155,653  | 100.00
Turnout  | 155,653  | 39.50
Registered voters  | 394,074  | 100.00
Source:  | [30]

Konovalov appointed lawyer Oleg Zemtsov (Independent) to the Federation Council, replacing incumbent Valery Usatyuk (CPRF).[31]

## See also[edit]

* 2023 Russian regional elections

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ in order to retain his seat in the Federation Council, incumbent Senator Zhukov must first win election to the Supreme Council to be appointed by the chamber

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "Коновалов планирует выдвигаться на второй срок на должность главы Хакасии". tass.ru. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
2. ^ "Выборы в Хакасии: Зимин проиграл собственному антирейтингу". ИА REGNUM.
3. ^ "Одинокий кандидат: как коммунист выиграл уникальные выборы в Хакасии". РБК.
4. ^ "КПРФ победила на выборах в парламент Хакасии". Interfax.ru.
5. ^ a b "В Кремле запланировали досрочную отставку главы Хакасии". rbc.ru. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
6. ^ "Предложение, от которого нельзя не избраться". www.kommersant.ru. July 11, 2021.
7. ^ "Сергей Сокол возглавил хакасское отделение «Единой России». Что дальше". 19rusinfo.ru.
8. ^ Андрей Турчак поддержал выдвижение кандидатуры Сергея Сокола на выборах главы Хакасии
9. ^ a b "Депутат Госдумы Сергей Сокол заявил о намерении участвовать в выборах главы Хакасии". tass.ru. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
10. ^ "Кремль о выборах губернатора Хакасии полтора месяца назад: «Ветеран СВО не может проиграть». Кремль сейчас: проиграть может — но тогда результаты аннулируют". Meduza. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
11. ^ Bailey, Riley; Wolkov, Nicole; Evans, Angelica; Harward, Christina; Kagan, Frederick W.; Mitchell, Belcher. "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 22, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
12. ^ "As Moscow holds 'elections' in Russia and beyond, a few races could prove problematic for the Kremlin". Meduza. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
13. ^ "United Russia set to triumph in regional elections amid widespread apathy". Novaya Gazeta. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
14. ^ "О выборах Главы Республики Хакасия - Председателя Правительства Республики Хакасия (с изменениями на 1 июня 2022 года)". docs.cntd.ru. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
15. ^ О своем выдвижении на пост главы Хакасии официально заявил Владимир Грудинин
16. ^ Зарегистрирован первый кандидат на должность Главы Хакасии
17. ^ a b "Губернаторские кампании-2023 с высоким уровнем конкуренции: прогноз АПЭК". Retrieved 2023-05-27.
18. ^ Есть третий кандидат на губернаторских выборах в Хакасии
19. ^ "Власти выдвинут бывших участников спецоперации на выборы". Ведомости.
20. ^ Сергей Сокол снялся с выборов главы Хакасии
21. ^ Партия «Родина» выдвигает своего кандидата на главу Хакасии
22. ^ Выборы главы Хакасии: кандидат Ольга Ширковец подала документы в избирком
23. ^ "Абрек Челтыгмашев раскрыл интригу, пойдет ли на выборы главы Хакасии". 19rusinfo.ru.
24. ^ "Сокол и другие кандидаты: кто может помешать Коновалову переизбраться". December 7, 2022.
25. ^ "Мэра Абакана спросили, будет ли он претендовать на пост Главы Хакасии?". shansonline.ru.
26. ^ "«И хочется и колется». Войнова и Челтыгмашев не прочь стать губернатором - Пульс Хакасии".
27. ^ "Ирина Войнова - об Алтайском районе и выборах главы Хакасии. Эксклюзив 19rusinfo.ru". 19rusinfo.ru.
28. ^ Не пропустите! Политическое шоу только начинается в Хакасии
29. ^ Финансовые отчеты
30. ^ Результаты выборов Главы - Председателя Правительства Республики Хакасия, 2023
31. ^ Сенатором от правительства Хакасии избран адвокат Олег Земцов

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Elections in Khakassia

Head of the Republic|

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