First Reading Approved: At the ZS Session, Comments Made on the "New Division" Region Law

First Reading Approved: At the ZS Session, Comments Made on the "New Division" Region Law

Today, April 24, in the session of the Legislative Assembly of Krasnoyarsk Krai, the discussion focused on a package of laws regarding the new organization of local self-government. The planned shift to a single-tier system significantly impacts the administrative-territorial division of the Krai, causing numerous questions among residents.

At the session, it was reminded that the changes are planned due to the imminent (from June 19) entry into force of the new federal law "On General Principles of Organizing Local Self-government." According to the first deputy governor and head of the governor's administration Sergei Ponomarenko, in Krasnoyarsk Krai, they plan to create 6 urban districts and 33 municipal districts (39 in total). Some will be formed within the current boundaries of raions, while others will be consolidated.

In the new structure, the quality of municipal governance will improve, and the speed of decision-making will increase, as noted by Sergei Ponomarenko. The reform also aims to establish strong local budgets for accelerated territorial development. Residents' issues will be addressed more efficiently, including issues related to the provision of communal services, urban planning, and tariff formation. Access to municipal services will remain the same, as territorial bodies of municipal districts will be formed in administrative centers. There are no plans to change the network of social institutions – hospitals, schools, kindergartens, clubs.

The change will affect the procedure for electing local councils and the heads of municipalities – representative bodies of the municipal districts will select leaders from candidates proposed by the governor.

Deputies from various fractions of the Legislative Assembly discussed the project, expressing their at times contrasting opinions. As the chairman of the committee on state construction, legislation, and local self-government, Galina Ampilogova noted, there is already a positive experience of working with municipal districts in Krasnoyarsk Krai,

"For example, this is the Tuykhetskiy MU, where single-tier management has been in effect since 2020. There is experience with other districts, and we have never heard from their residents that the situation has worsened. As a result, the change in governance structure will not affect residents. Where there were rural administrations, the same buildings will house territorial representatives."

The session eventually approved the project in the first reading and adopted a resolution for further work on the laws.

In particular, it involves public participation in governance, legal assistance provided to districts, and information and awareness-raising work. The government is recommended to ensure the accessibility of municipal services, higher quality, and efficiency in the management of municipalities.

"A substantial amount of work is needed to change the system of local governance in Krasnoyarsk Krai and to bring the regional legislation in line with the new realities. Essentially, it's crucial to understand that the reorganization of the administration apparatus of the MSU is aimed at the development of territories. People are concerned about where they will go to obtain permits, register documents, where schools and hospitals will remain, and if the number of services will decrease. Whether the organ of power will be called rural administration or territorial representation, - that's not so important", concluded the briefing on the issue at the session, the speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Alexei Dodatko.

All current local self-governance authorities will continue their work until the expiration of their terms. Furthermore, a considerable transition period has been planned before the complete transition to the single-tier system of governance in Krasnoyarsk Krai will take place by the end of 2029. Only part of the districts will be formed this year – a full transition to the district governance system in Krasnoyarsk Krai is expected by the end of 2029.

1. The debate in the Legislative Assembly of Krasnoyarsk Krai centered on a policy-and-legislation package concerning a new local self-government structure, including discussions about the formation of urban and municipal districts.
2. The implementation of changes to the local self-government system is planned for June 19, following the entry into force of the new federal law "On General Principles of Organizing Local Self-government."
3. Strong local budgets are envisioned as part of the reform, with the aim of accelerating territorial development and addressing residents' issues more efficiently.
4. In 2029, Krasnoyarsk Krai aims to complete the transition to a single-tier system of governance, which will be marked by improvements in municipal governance, increased decision-making speed, and better access to municipal services.

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