The municipal leader of Olekminsk, namely Shcheblyakov, has stepped down from office.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Mayor of Olekminsk, Sergei Sheblyakov, has resigned. This news comes after a series of political tensions and controversies that have been brewing in the city.
The resignation was not sudden, but preceded by several events, including a scandal involving Sheblyakov and the head of the Olekminsky district, Nikolai Harbin, over the burial of war veterans. This issue has been a significant point of contention, with Harbin and Sheblyakov unable to agree on where to hold the funerals, with Harbin insisting on the cultural complex 'Harmony' and Sheblyakov suggesting the sports hall 'Druzhba'.
The conflict between Sheblyakov and Harbin can be seen as a classic conflict between two branches of power - city and district. This acute political moment was expected to cause difficulties, as the question of whether the city council will independently appoint a new mayor or hold direct elections is under discussion.
The session will also decide on the next mayor of the city. The exact date for the elections, if they are to be held, is not mentioned. However, it is known that a session of the Olekminsky City Council is scheduled for September 25, where the issue of accepting Sheblyakov's resignation will be discussed.
In addition to the political turmoil, there have been issues with underfunding in Olekminsk. The raicenter, a significant institution in the city, received significantly less funding in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2023, the raicenter received donations from the Olekminsky district amounting to 21 million rubles, but in 2024, the amount decreased to just 2 million 100 thousand rubles. The exact amount allocated to the raicenter in 2025 is less than the previous year, although the exact amount is not known.
Despite these challenges, the Olekminsky district authority in 2025 allocated funds for the development and maintenance of the central infrastructure of Olekminsk. This move is expected to bring much-needed improvements to the city's infrastructure.
As Olekminsk navigates through these challenging times, the city and its residents eagerly await the decisions that will be made during the upcoming city council session. The future of the city, particularly its leadership, hangs in the balance.
