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Narva Approves Government by One Vote as New Political Crisis Looms
Estonia's border city of Narva has ended a period of political paralysis by approving a new city government with a narrow 16-15 vote, though the newfound stability is immediately threatened by an upcoming no-confidence motion against the council chairman.
- —Narva's City Council has approved a new city government, with 16 votes in favor and 15 against, ending a period of political paralysis.
- —Marina Shurupova was approved as vice-mayor, and Elena Golubeva and Natalia Shibalova were appointed as members of the city government.
- —The approved city government members previously served in the same roles in the administration formed in January 2025.
- —The council also approved monthly compensation of 298 euros for Golubeva and Shibalova, while the vice-mayor's salary will be decided at a later meeting.
- —Mayor Katri Raik commented that while power is now established, the situation is not yet stable due to an upcoming no-confidence vote against the council chairman.
Recap
The approval of Narva's government is a tactical victory for the ruling coalition, not a strategic one. The 16-15 vote margin reveals a political environment with no room for error, and the immediate scheduling of a no-confidence vote against the council chairman shows the opposition is prepared to exploit any weakness. This persistent instability threatens the city's ability to address critical issues, turning governance into a continuous battle for survival.