Politics
AI
Narva Leadership Works Unpaid as Political Deadlock Deepens
A second failed 15-15 vote to approve salaries for Narva's City Council chairman and his deputy has escalated a political stalemate, now featuring a failed no-confidence motion against the chairman and a new one targeting the city's mayor.
- —The Narva City Council failed for the second time to approve monthly salaries for its chairman, Mikhail Stalnuhhin, and his deputy, Jana Kondrashova, with votes splitting 15-15 due to abstentions from interested parties.
- —A no-confidence motion against Narva Mayor Katri Raik was initiated by opposition deputies from the Centre Party and the 'Plan B + City Pulse of Narva' electoral union, citing poor leadership.
- —An attempt to oust City Council Chairman Mikhail Stalnuhhin also failed, with 15 votes in favor and 16 against, indicating the coalition's support for him.
- —The ongoing political deadlock means Stalnuhhin and Kondrashova continue to serve without pay since their election in early December.
Recap
The inability to perform a basic function like approving leadership salaries reveals a fundamental breakdown in governance in Narva. This is not a simple administrative hurdle but a calculated political standoff where procedural votes are weaponized. The reciprocal no-confidence motions demonstrate that both the ruling coalition and the opposition are entrenched, prioritizing political battles over municipal stability, leaving the city's leadership in the unprecedented position of serving without pay.