Politics
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Narva Mayor Survives Ouster Vote as Council Deadlock Persists
Narva Mayor Katri Raik narrowly survived a no-confidence vote with a 16-15 result, but the city council remains paralyzed, failing for the fourth time to approve leadership compensation due to a recurring tie vote that underscores deep political divisions.
- —Narva City Council deputies were unable to approve monthly compensation for the council's chairman and deputy chairman for the fourth time, with votes splitting 15-15.
- —A no-confidence vote against Narva Mayor Katri Raik, initiated by the opposition, failed to gain sufficient support, with 15 deputies voting for and 16 against.
- —The opposition, comprising the Center Party faction and the 'Plan B + City Pulse of Narva' union, has been attempting to remove the mayor and has also been unsuccessful in approving leadership salaries.
- —The coalition, formed by 'Narva 2.0' and 'Respect' factions, holds 16 seats, while the opposition has 15 seats in the 31-member council.
- —In a separate development, Vladimir Stepura was unanimously elected as the new mayor of Langepas, with his candidacy proposed by the governor.
Recap
Mayor Katri Raik's survival of the no-confidence vote does not resolve the underlying political paralysis in Narva. The city council is functionally gridlocked by a one-vote margin, rendering it incapable of performing basic administrative duties like approving leadership salaries. This persistent stalemate, driven by a determined opposition, signals continued instability and ineffective governance for the municipality.