Deputies of Krasnoyarsk Lose Legal Battle Against Municipal Reform Abolition
Krasnoyarsk Regional Court Upholds Controversial Local Self-Government Abolition
In a decision that has sparked controversy, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court has rejected a lawsuit seeking to declare a regional law invalid that abolished the two-tier model of local self-government. The ruling, made on August 19, 2025, aligns with federal policies aimed at centralizing power and eliminating local self-rule structures.
The lawsuit was filed by the council of the Suhobuzhsky District, who disapproved of their district's merger with the Bolshemurtinsky District. The plaintiffs also claimed that the regional authorities did not seek the opinion of the residents of the merging districts or justify the necessity of the merger.
The defendants in the lawsuit were the krai legislature and the regional head. They insisted that the governor and the krai parliament acted within the law. However, local lawyer Dmitry Todoshov argued that the law contradicted the republican constitution.
The court's ruling likely upholds the regional law abolishing the two-tier system, which effectively dismantles an existing level of local self-government. This aligns with federal policies signed by President Putin in spring 2025, which have provoked backlash from regional elites and local populations, notably in Siberia and other areas.
The decision weakens the autonomy of local municipal bodies and empowers regional governors and federal authorities, reducing democratic accountability locally. Notably, opposition to the reforms comes from diverse groups including veterans, municipal officials, deputies (even those affiliated with the ruling United Russia party), and residents.
Olga Nekrasova, chairperson of the Suhobuzhsky District Council, presented documents showing that not only residents but also the heads of rural and territorial councils opposed the reform. Another lawsuit, challenging a different law related to the municipal reform, will be considered on September 16.
The explanatory part of the court's decision will be available on August 25. The municipal reform in the regions has been a subject of multiple lawsuits, and continued protests and organized resistance by local elites and civic groups can be expected as part of ongoing spontaneous opposition to these reforms.
Despite the legal and political headwinds, opposition to the reforms remains active, particularly in Siberian regions like Krasnoyarsk Krai. The reforms could lead to further administrative centralization, potentially restructuring municipalities into larger federal districts with more direct federal oversight.
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