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Valentin Konovalov

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In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Olegovich and the family name is Konovalov.
Valentin Konovalov
Валентин Коновалов
Konovalov in 2018
4th Head of the Republic of Khakassia
Incumbent
Assumed office
15 November 2018
DeputyAndrey Asochakov
Preceded byViktor Zimin
Mikhail Razvozhayev (interim)
First Secretary of the Communist Party in Khakassia
Incumbent
Assumed office
14 March 2018
Preceded byNikolay Bozykov
Member of the Supreme Council of Khakassia
In office
9 September 2018 – 15 November 2018
Constituency4th district
Member of the Abakan City Council
In office
8 September 2013 – 9 September 2018
Personal details
Born (1987-11-30) November 30, 1987 (age 37)
Okhotsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
(now Khabarovsk Krai, Russia)
Political partyCommunist Party
Children3

Valentin Olegovich Konovalov (Russian: Валенти́н Оле́гович Конова́лов; born November 30, 1987) is a Russian politician who has served as the Head of Khakassia since 2018.[1] He was a local politician before assuming the office.

A member of the Communist Party, he was supported by the right-wing LDPR in his successful bid to unseat the incumbent head Viktor Zimin of the ruling United Russia party, highlighting a rise in anti-establishment sentiment in the country during the period. Coordinated efforts to prevent him from winning the second round garnered national attention, with a similar situation occurring during his successful for re-election in 2023.[2] Konovalov has described tackling corruption as the focus of his governorship.

Early life and education

Valentin Konovalov was born on November 30, 1987, in Okhotsk, Khabarovsk Krai.[3] When he was a child, he moved to Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, with his parents, both engineers, where he completed his education. He went on to study at Khakassian State University in Abakan, Khakassia.[4]

Earlier career

In 2014, he was elected first Secretary of the Committee of the Abakan city branch of the Communist party.

In March 2018, he was elected First Secretary of the Committee (leader) of the Khakass Republican Branch of the Communist party.[5]

In 2018, Konovalov participated in both the gubernatorial and parliamentary elections. He ran for the Supreme Council from the 4th single-mandate constituency. On September 9, he was elected to the Supreme Council of Khakassia and simultaneously entered the second round of gubernatorial election.[6] His win coincided with the elections of Sergei Furgal and Vladimir Sipyagin, who also defeated United Russia incumbents in other regions. Furgal has since been imprisoned, and Sipyagin resigned.

2018 gubernatorial campaign

Main article: 2018 Khakassia head election
Valentin Konovalov during his gubernatorial campaign, July 28, 2018
The results of the first (left) and second (right) rounds by territorial election commissions.
  Valentin Konovalov
  Viktor Zimin

On the website Pravda 19 passed a vote on the support of the national candidate of the Communist Party. About 5,000 people voted. The voting ended on June 16, 2018. The first secretary of the Communist Party of the Republic of Khakassia, Valentin Konovalov, received 46%, deputy to the Supreme Council, Oleg Ivanov, received 34%. The Communist Party decided to nominate Konovalov to the post of the Head of the Republic of Khakassia.[7] On 21 June 2018, Valentin Konovalov was nominated as a candidate for Head of Khakassia from the Communist party.[8]

In the election on 9 September took first place, gaining 44% and went to the second round. The second round was to be held on 23 September, in addition to Konovalov, the current head of the Republic Viktor Zimin was to participate, but he withdrew his candidacy a few days before the second round, which caused the vote to be postponed for two weeks. Instead of Zimin in the second round was to participate Andrey Filyagin, who took third place in the first round, but he also withdrew his candidacy a few days before the vote and the second round was again postponed for two weeks. Alexander Myakhar who took the fourth place in the first round had to participate in the second round, but he also refused to participate in the elections, and therefore the vote was postponed to 11 November. As there were no other candidates, in accordance with the Russian legislation, the second round had to be uncontested. Only Valentin Konovalov had to participate in the voting, and the voters had to vote "for" or "against" him. To win Konovalov had to gain more than 50% of the vote.[9]

In 11 October 2018, the Chairman of Republican Election Commission Alexander Chumanin said that the election Commission of the Republic of Khakassia will appeal to the Supreme court of Khakassia Republic with a request to cancel registration on election of Valentin Konovalov. The Commission received a submission from the Prosecutor's office, which states that when submitting documents from Konovalov was, first, incorrectly stated the name of the branch of the party: in the documents it is called "Communist party of the Russian Federation-Khakass regional branch of the Communist party", while in the register of legal entities the party is registered as "Khakass regional branch of the Communist party of the Russian Federation". And secondly, according to Prosecutor's office, documents of party conference weren't certified by the head of regional office (which Konovalov is), and the presiding Secretary who conducted party conference.[10][11][12]

The actions of the Republican Election Commission have caused criticism, including Central Election Commission Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova, who said that "the Republican Commission has sued itself to actually cancel the upcoming second round of election", and that "irreparable damage to the entire electoral process in the region may be caused". Under the law, it is possible to withdraw a registered candidate within 10 days, except in cases where there are newly discovered circumstances. Valentin Konovalov filed a counterclaim against the decision of the election Commission.[13][14][15]

On 12 October, session of the Supreme Court of Khakassia, where the judge Valery Solovyev has postponed consideration of the claim for 15 October.[16]

On 13 October, the interim Head of Khakassia Mikhail Razvozhayev, said he personally requested the Election Commission to withdraw the case from the Supreme Court to cancel the registration of Valentin Konovalov.[17]

On 15 October, the Republican Election Commission decided to withdraw its claim from the Supreme Court to cancel the registration. The Supreme court of Khakassia also stopped consideration of the claim of the candidate for the head of Khakassia from the party of growth Alexander Mekhar to cancel the registration of Valentin Konovalov on the basis of the decision of the Election Commission, which recognized one of the videos of the Communist party violating the law. On 15 October, Alexander Myakhar announced the withdrawal of his claim.[18][19]

On 11 November 2018, in the second round of elections, gaining more than 57% of the vote, Konovalov was elected Head of Republic.[20]

2023 gubernatorial campaign

Main article: 2023 Khakassia head election

United Russia ran State Duma member Sergey Sokol to challenge Konovolov's re-election bid. However, after polls suggested the party would once again perform poorly, Sokol withdrew from the race. Sokol denied that the poor polling was the reason for his withdrawal, citing health reasons for his decision.

Konovalov was subsequently comfortably re-elected in the first round, garnering 63.14% of the vote.

Head of Khakassia

Inauguration

Inauguration of Valentin Konovalov, November 15, 2018

On 15 November 2018, Valentin Konovalov took the oath before the deputies of the Supreme Council of the Republic and judges of the Supreme Court of the Republic.

During the meeting with President Vladimir Putin, December 27, 2018

Government formation

The new government of Khakassia promised to make a coalition. It will be formed not on the principle of party affiliation, but on the basis of the professionalism of applicants for Ministerial posts. The formation will take place on a competitive basis. Probably, in addition to the Communist and Liberal Democratic parties (these parties agreed on coalitions in the three regions where the gubernatorial elections won their candidates) will be non-party and representatives of other parties, Konovalov did not rule out that the government may include members of United Russia.[21]

Immediately after the inauguration, Konovalov held a meeting of the regional government, at which he dismissed the remaining Ministers and their deputies (13 high-ranking officials resigned from the government the day before). On the same day, Konovalov made his first appointment. Deputy of the Supreme Council of Khakassia, from United Russia Andrey Asochakov took the position of the First Deputy Head of Republic. Konovalov said he would coordinate finance and communication with the Russian federal government. Secretary of the Tula Regional Committee of the Communist party and mayor of Donskoy in the Tula Region Bogdan Pavlenko took the post of Deputy Head of Republic. Konovalov said Pavlenko would direct the apparatus of his administration and restructure the local government.[22]

Tenure

Konovalov has described tackling corruption as the focus of his governorship.

On economic policy, he has taken steps to implement elements of a planned economy.

Konovalov responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia by issuing a stay-at-home order. Restrictions were gradually lifted in the following months.

His foreign policy has centred on aiming to increase trade and tourism cooperation with Asian countries, particularly fellow socialist Vietnam and China.[23]

As Governor, Konovalov was required to enable the 2022 Russian mobilization. The United States Department of the Treasury added Konovalov to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List on 24 February 2023, describing him as being involved in the "implementation of Russian operations and aggression against Ukraine, illegal administration of the occupied Ukrainian territories in the interests of the Russian Federation" and "calling Russian citizens to fight in the war."[24] For similar reasons, he was also placed on the sanction list of Ukraine on 1 April 2023.[25]

Despite winning re-election in September 2023, his party lost the parliamentary election. This was because even though the communists winning more votes than any other party on the party-list portion of the election, United Russia won almost all seats in the first past-the-post system portion of the election in single-member constituencies.

Personal life

Valentin Konovalov is married. He has two daughters and a son.[26]

Electoral history

Accurate as of prior to the 2023 elections

Election Political result Candidate Party Votes %
First Secretary of the Communist Party in Khakassia election, 2018
Electorate: 30
Turnout: 27, but results take abstentions into account (90%)		CPRF
Majority: 23 (76.67%) 		Green tickY (for Konovalov) CPRF2686.67%
Red XN (against Konovalov) 13.33%
2018 Communist Party nomination for Head of Republic CPRF Valentin Konovalov CPRFunopposed
2018 Khakassia Supreme Council election
in 4th single-mandate constituency
Turnout: 4,989 (33.27%)		CPRF
Majority: 362 (7.26%) 		Valentin Konovalov CPRF1,55031.07
Andrey Aploshkin United Russia1,18823.81
Vitaly Kuzmin LDPR61112.25
Alexey Kicheev Independent58611.75
Vyacheslav Novosyolov SR4148.30
Valery Safonov CPCR3026.05
2018 Khakassia head election
(1st round)
Turnout: 159,670 (41.77%)		CPRF
Majority: 19,782 (12.39%) 		Valentin Konovalov CPRF71,55344.81
Viktor Zimin United Russia51,77132.42
Andrey Filyagin SR17,93011.22
Alexander Myakhar Party of Growth10,5516.61
2018 Khakassia head election
(2nd round)
Turnout: 176,137 (45.72%)		CPRF
Majority: 28,907 (16.48%) 		Green tickY (for Konovalov) CPRF101,40557.57
Red XN (against Konovalov) 72,49841.16

References

  1. ^ Коновалов вступил в должность главы Хакасии
  2. ^ Kilner, James (2023-09-02). "Putin's plan to control remote Siberian region goes awry". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  3. ^ Коновалов Валентин Олегович
  4. ^ "Валентин Коновалов". Svobodnaya Pressa (in Russian). Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  5. ^ Первый секретарь КПРФ сменился в Хакасии
  6. ^ "Выборы депутатов Верховного Совета Республики Хакасия седьмого созыва". Archived from the original on 2018-11-14. Retrieved 2018-11-13.
  7. ^ "В ХАКАСИИ ЗАВЕРШИЛОСЬ НАРОДНОЕ ГОЛОСОВАНИЕ". Archived from the original on 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  8. ^ КПРФ выдвинула кандидата в главы Хакасии
  9. ^ Валентин Коновалов подал заявление об участии в во втором туре
  10. ^ Ведомости (2018-10-11). "Избирком Хакасии попросит суд отменить регистрацию кандидата от КПРФ". Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  11. ^ "Победившего в Хакасии коммуниста хотят снять с выборов. К чему это приведет". BBC News Русская служба. 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  12. ^ "Александр Чуманин: Будем добиваться отмены регистрации Коновалова в судебном порядке". Информационное Агентство «Хакасия». 2018-10-11. Archived from the original on 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  13. ^ "Элла Памфилова: Избирком Хакасии подал в суд на самого себя!". Информационное Агентство «Хакасия». 2018-10-12. Archived from the original on 2018-10-12. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  14. ^ "Прозрение прокуратуры: кандидата, победившего в первом туре, снимут со второго". Голос — за честные выборы. 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  15. ^ "Хакасия как назидание протестному электорату". Retrieved 2018-10-15.
  16. ^ "Верховный суд Хакасии не решил судьбу кандидата Коновалова". Информационное Агентство «Хакасия». 2018-10-12. Archived from the original on 2018-10-12. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  17. ^ "Врио главы Хакасии попросил отозвать иск о снятии кандидата от КПРФ". РБК. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  18. ^ "Избирком Хакасии отзовет свой иск о снятии с выборов кандидата Коновалова". ТАСС. Retrieved 2018-10-15.
  19. ^ "Верховный суд Хакасии прекратил рассмотрение иска Мяхара о снятии с выборов кандидата КПРФ". ТАСС. Retrieved 2018-10-15.
  20. ^ "Коновалов набирает 57,5% на выборах главы Хакасии". ТАСС. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
  21. ^ Коновалов пообещал уволить экономический блок правительства Хакасии
  22. ^ Валентин Коновалов ищет кадры
  23. ^ "Russia's Republic of Khakassia eyes multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam". 25 April 2023.
  24. ^ "The United States Takes Sweeping Actions on the One Year Anniversary of Russia's War Against Ukraine". U.S. Department of Treasury. 2023-02-24. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  25. ^ "ФІЗИЧНІ ОСОБИ, до яких застосовуються персональні спеціальні економічні та інші обмежувальні заходи (санкції)" (PDF). President of Ukraine. 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  26. ^ "Стали известны подробности личной жизни нового главы Хакасии". Archived from the original on 2018-11-12. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
Party political offices
Preceded by Communist Party nominee for Head of Khakassia
2018 		Most recent
Preceded by First Secretary of the Communist Party in Khakassia
2018–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
Viktor Zimin
Mikhail Razvozhayev (interim)
 Head of the Republic of Khakassia
2018–present 		Incumbent
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