Bystrova A. Formation trends of the Russian elite of Sevastopol: five years after joining the Russian Federation. Vlast' i elity [Power and Elites], 2019, 6 (1), pp. 139-168.

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Abstract

The work is devoted to the analysis of the processes of formation of the Russian elite of the city of Sevastopol during the five and a half years that have passed since joining the Russian Federation. This is a continuation of the study, the results of which were published earlier in the almanac Power and elites (2016). The focus is on the administrative elite of the city. The author analyzes the composition of several governments operating in Sevastopol in 2014–2019 and identifies the main trends in the formation of the administrative Russian elite of the city, represented mainly by members of the government. During this short period, the city was ruled successively by three governors: S. I. Menyailo, D. V. Ovsyannikov and currently (since July 2019) M. V. Razvozhaev. The personal composition of the government changed significantly. The exception is the government of acting Governor Razvozhaev. The current head of Sevastopol, who is often called the “crisis” manager by the media, was content with the old government for a short period of time and continued to work with associates of the former governor Ovsyannikov. Then he made a number of personnel decisions, dismissing some of his deputies and members of the government. The analysis of all compositions of the government of Sevastopol, biographies and career paths of its members, pools of recruitment, education and other characteristics showed the following trends. All governments look like landing from the mainland, because they have a significant proportion of immigrants from other regions of the Russian Federation. That is, the formation of the administrative elite of Sevastopol (Executive power) clearly shows the trend of horizontal territorial mobility of regional officials of high rank. This trend was also recorded by us in the study of the administrative elite of other subjects of the Russian Federation. In the government of Governor Menyailo there were quite a few former military men who had long experience in high positions in the security forces. After the change of the Governor, the composition of the city government underwent significant changes. So, there was a significant rejuvenation and professionalization. Young people with specialized economic and management education, as well as extensive experience in management activities in public authorities have appeared in the government. It inspired positive dynamics of development of the city, the solution of social problems. However, the hopes were not fully justified. There is ample evidence that the Governor and the government have failed to find common ground with the representative authority on a number of critical issues. Governor Ovsyannikov was replaced by a Federal official Razvozzhaev, whose life and professional experience is not associated with either the Crimea or Sevastopol. Four years prior to the appointment to Sevastopol, the official closely dealt with the problems of the North Caucasus (Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the North Caucasus). A bright episode of his career-work for a month and a half in Khakassia (October — November 2018). The task set before him by the President of the Russian Federation: To take control of the situation in Khakassia and help to hold clean, open and fully meet our laws elections. The formation of the administrative elite corps in the Federal city of Sevastopol, which understands the problems and prospects of development of the city and the population and adequately acts, remains on the agenda.