ST. PETERSBURG
Summary Basic information

Summary

Text by: Stanislav Tkachenko (et al.)
St. Petersburg State University, Faculty of International Relations,
October 2001

The role of the institutions of executive power in Saint-Petersburg are higher compared to any other public institution - Legislative Assembly, courts or federal authorities in Saint-Petersburg. The Governor of Saint-Petersburg is elected every four years by direct secret ballot by all citizens of the city.

The Administration (Government) of Saint-Petersburg consists of 15 members, who represent all spheres of the city's life - economy, finances, international relations, law-enforcement institutions, the city's property, health protection, media, transport, tourism, culture and sport. The Administration of Saint-Petersburg is an influential institution in economic life of the city and usually is the key partner for foreign investors as well as investors from other Russian regions, who would like to operate in the local market or through city's market to other regions of North-Western Russia and the European countries.

The Governor of Saint-Petersburg plays important role in Russia's political and economic life due to several reasons.

  1. Saint-Petersburg is one of the main contributors to Russia's budget and process of the concentration of financial resources in the city is continuing, as it has been doing now for several years.
  2. Saint-Petersburg is the native city for leading Russian politicians - President Vladimir Putin, Speaker of the State Duma Gennady Seleznev, Head of Chamber of Audit Sergey Stepashin, Minister of Defence Sergey Ivanov, President of the leading Russian company GAZPROM Alexey Miller and many others.
  3. Saint-Petersburg is frequently visited by leaders of state and business elites from all major countries in the world and meetings with the Governor and Saint-Petersburg Administration are an important part of these visits.
  4. Saint-Petersburg is the second (after Moscow best developed market in Russia and it gives foreign businesses unique opportunities to start their activities in Russia. It is the Saint-Petersburg Administration, who defines "roles of the game" in the city and protect Russian and foreign companies via creation of a favorable investment climate in Saint-Petersburg.

In the structure of the Government of Saint-Petersburg headed by the Governor, very important role is played by the Committee of Foreign Relations. Partly it may be explained by the fact that prior to departure to Moscow Vladimir Putin was the Chairman of the Committee, during his time in the Administration of Anatoly Sobchak he was the number two in the city. Vladimir Putin simultaneously occupied the position of the Chairman of the Committee and the position of the First Vice-Mayor of Saint-Petersburg. That lead to significant growth in the power of the Committee. The Committee is among the largest structures of the Saint-Petersburg Government both in staff and areas of activities.

The quality of management in Saint-Petersburg Administration after May 1996 became lower and there are speculations about links between the Administration and organized crime. But tough control by political opponents over all activities of the Administration as well as control of independent media (newspapers and TV channels) force V.Yakovlev to conduct transparent politics, explaining all his major decisions, made inside the city as well as during his regular official visits to other Russian regions and abroad. Control of media and opposition over activities of the Administration reduced the personal factor in the political life of Saint-Petersburg.

It is important to mention that when V.Yakovlev became the Governor of Saint-Petersburg, he declared that his main duty would be to solve ordinary problems of the city, but not numerous foreign visits, as it was under Anatoly Sobchak as the Mayor of Saint-Petersburg. But this statement of new Governor was strongly criticized by politicians and media. The main message of criticism was that for securing for Saint-Petersburg the status of a great European city, the Governor has to pay attention to raising Saint-Petersburg's prestige via contacts on the international arena. The only way of obtaining positive results for that should be "Governor diplomacy". Very soon V.Yakovlev became one of the most frequent "travelers" among Russian governors, and his visits include Canada and Australia, South Africa and Japan, plus practically all the countries of the European Union and CIS.

The Administration is responsible for organization of the celebration of 300-th Anniversary of foundation of Saint-Petersburg. According to plans of the President of Russia, Government of Russian Federation and Administration of Saint-Petersburg, the celebration should be a world-wide demonstration of political and economic power of Saint-Petersburg, the special role of the city in Russian and European politics as well as attempt to make image of Russia more "European". Saint-Petersburg wishes to become "the Diplomatic capital" of Russia, and in Russia's booming economy and its role in socio-economic, political and cultural life of Russia is increasing.

Another priority is attraction of foreign direct investments into economy of the city (especially in food-proceeding industry, tourist infrastructure, transportation and machinery construction). The city is known as "the Cultural capital" of Russia with the biggest national libraries, theaters, museums, and festivals.