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Narva Council Appoints Officials to End Governance Paralysis
Estonia's border city of Narva took steps to end a crippling administrative deadlock on January 27 by confirming the head of its water utility, Dmitry Lipatov, as a new council deputy and appointing Marina Shurupova as vice-mayor.
- —The Narva City Election Commission has officially approved Dmitry Lipatov, head of Narva Vesi (Narva Water utility), as a city council deputy.
- —Marina Shurupova, representing the 'Narva 2.0' faction, has been appointed as vice-mayor.
- —The Narva City Council is set to determine the vice-mayor's salary at 3500 euros per month during its upcoming session.
- —In Pärnu, the city council chairman has initiated a public poll regarding the use of salt on pedestrian and cycling paths.
- —Pärnu's ruling coalition, comprised of the Center Party and EKRE, is facing scrutiny over their commitment to ending a catering contract with Baltic Restaurants Estonia (BRE) for kindergartens.
Recap
Narva's recent appointments are a calculated move to restore functionality after a period of political paralysis exposed the ruling coalition's vulnerability. By installing the head of the city's water utility as a deputy and confirming a vice-mayor, the administration is attempting to solidify its razor-thin majority and prevent a repeat of the deadlock that previously halted city governance. This is less about new policy and more about the fundamental mechanics of control in a politically fractured council.