Georgy Poltavchenko
{{Short description|Russian politician}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Georgy Poltavchenko
| image = Poltavchenko 2020.jpg
| office1 = Governor of Saint Petersburg
| term_start1 = 22 August 2011
| term_end1 = 3 October 2018
| predecessor1 = Valentina Matvienko
| successor1 = Alexander Beglov
| office2 = 1st Plenipotentiary Representative in the Central Federal District
| term_start2 = 18 May 2000
| term_end2 = 31 August 2011
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 = Andrey Popov (acting)
| birth_name = Georgy Sergeevich Poltavchenko
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1953|02|24|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union
{{small|(now Baku, Azerbaijan)}}
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = {{flagicon|Russia}} Russian
| spouse = Yekaterina Leonidovna Poltavchenko
| relations =
| children = Aleksey Poltavchenko (b. 1985)
| residence =
| alma_mater = Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation
| occupation =
| profession = Politician
| party = Yabloko (2001-present){{cn|date=July 2024}}
| otherparty = Communist Party (1975-1991)
Independent (1991-2001)
| signature = Signature of Georgy Poltavchenko.svg
| native_name_lang = ru
| native_name = {{nobold|Георгий Полтавченко}}
| caption = Poltavchenko in 2020
}}
Georgy Sergeyevich Poltavchenko ({{lang-rus|Гео́ргий Серге́евич Полта́вченко|p=ɡʲɪˈorɡʲɪj sʲɪrˈɡʲejɪvʲɪtɕ pɐlˈtaftɕɪnkə}}; born on 24 February 1953) is a Russian politician. He has the federal state civilian service rank of 1st class Active State Councillor of the Russian Federation.{{cite act|type=Decree|index=712|date=18 June 2001|legislature=President of Russia|title=О присвоении квалификационного разряда Полтавченко Г.С.|language=ru|url=http://pravo.gov.ru/proxy/ips/?searchres=&bpas=cd00000&a3=102000503&a3type=1&a3value=&a6=102000070&a6type=1&a6value=&a15=&a15type=1&a15value=&a7type=1&a7from=&a7to=&a7date=18.06.2001&a8=712&a8type=1&a1=&a0=&a16=&a16type=1&a16value=&a17=&a17type=1&a17value=&a4=&a4type=1&a4value=&a23=&a23type=1&a23value=&textpres=&sort=7&x=56&y=11}}
He became Governor of Saint Petersburg in 2011. On 3 October 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin replaced him by Alexander Beglov on an interim basis until the 2019 city election.{{cite news | url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/putin-replaces-st-petersburg-governor-as-part-of-reshuffle | title=Putin replaces St Petersburg governor as part of reshuffle | date=3 October 2018 | author=The Associated Press | via=National Post | accessdate=3 October 2018 }} Previously, he served as the Presidential Envoy to the Central Federal District.
Life
He was born in Azerbaijan in 1953; his father was of Ukrainian descent. He studied at Leningrad Aviation Instrument-Making Institute. After graduation he worked at Leninets Research and Production Association and at a district Komsomol (Young Communists' League) committee in Leningrad. He began service in the KGB in 1979. From 1980 to 1990, he occupied various posts in the KGB, ultimately becoming chief of department, Vyborg directorate, regional department of KGB in Leningrad and the Leningrad region. Georgy was deputy of the Leningrad Regional Council from 1990 to 1993, deputy of Leningrad Regional Council. He was then chief of St. Petersburg directorate, Federal Tax Police from 1993 to 1999. He ran for the Leningrad city council unsuccessfully in 1998. From 1999 to 2000, he was plenipotentiary representative of the Russian President to Leningrad Oblast.
Political career
=Governor of Saint Petersburg =
Poltavchenko served as Governor of St. Petersburg from 31 August 2011 to 3 October 2018.
File:Medvedev, Poltavchenko - 2011-08-30.jpeg Dmitry Medvedev and Georgy Poltavchenko, 30 August 2011]]
On 22 August 2011, Georgy Poltavchenko was appointed Acting Governor of St. Petersburg.{{Cite web |url=http://kremlin.ru/news/12384 |title=Дмитрий Медведев подписал Указ «О досрочном прекращении полномочий губернатора Санкт-Петербурга» |date=22 August 2011 |trans-title=Dmitry Medvedev signed the Decree "On the early termination of the powers of the Governor of St. Petersburg" |access-date=2011-08-22 |archive-date=2011-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825023650/http://www.kremlin.ru/news/12384}} On 27 August 2011, the United Russia party supported Poltavchenko's candidacy for the post of governor of St. Petersburg. On 30 August, President Dmitry Medvedev approved Poltavchenko's candidacy as governor of St. Petersburg.{{Cite web |url=http://newsru.com/russia/30aug2011/piter_guber.html |title=Президент выбрал на пост губернатора Санкт-Петербурга своего полпреда в ЦФО и дал ему задания |date=30 August 2011 |trans-title=The President chose his plenipotentiary in the Central Federal District for the post of governor of St. Petersburg and gave him tasks |access-date=2011-08-30 |archive-date=2014-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718073326/http://newsru.com/russia/30aug2011/piter_guber.html}}
On 31 August 2011, the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg was endowed with the powers of the Governor of St. Petersburg. 37 deputies supported his candidacy, while five abstained from voting, and none voted against it.{{Cite web |url=http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=554906 |title=Георгий Полтавченко стал губернатором Санкт-Петербурга |trans-title=Georgy Poltavchenko became governor of St. Petersburg |access-date=2011-08-31 |archive-date=2011-08-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831114337/http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=554906}} On the same day, he took office as governor of St. Petersburg.[http://www.regnum.ru/news/polit/1440701.html Георгий Полтавченко вступил в должность губернатора Санкт-Петербурга] on REGNUM News Agency He retained his membership in the Security Council in his new position.{{Cite web |url=http://graph.document.kremlin.ru/page.aspx?1571527 |title=Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 4 сентября 2011 года № 1141 «О внесении изменения в состав Совета Безопасности Российской Федерации, утверждённый Указом Президента Российской Федерации от 25 мая 2008 года № 836» |trans-title=Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 4 September 2011, No. 1141 "On introducing changes to the composition of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, approved by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 25 May 2008 No. 836" |accessdate=2011-09-13 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107081431/http://graph.document.kremlin.ru/page.aspx?1571527 |archivedate=2012-01-07}}
From 28 July 2012 to 22 February 2013, Poltavchenko was a Member of the Presidium of the State Council of the Russian Federation.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kremlin.ru/acts/bank/35802 |title=Распоряжение Президента Российской Федерации от 28.07.2012 г. № 343-рп «О президиуме Государственного совета Российской Федерации» |trans-title=Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 28 July 2012 No. 343-rp “On the Presidium of the State Council of the Russian Federation” |access-date=2020-04-01 |archive-date=2020-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326174612/http://kremlin.ru/acts/bank/35802}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.kremlin.ru/acts/bank/36816 |title=Распоряжение Президента Российской Федерации от 22.02.2013 г. № 65-рп «О президиуме Государственного совета Российской Федерации» |trans-title=Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 22 February 2013 No. 65-rp “On the Presidium of the State Council of the Russian Federation” |access-date=2020-04-01 |archive-date=2020-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326174914/http://kremlin.ru/acts/bank/36816}}
In the early elections of the governor of St. Petersburg in 2014, Poltavchenko won 79.3% of the vote and retained his position.{{Cite web |url=http://fedpress.ru/news/elections/elections_parties/1410780624-v-peterburge-zavershilsya-podschet-vsekh-golosov-na-gubernatorskikh-vyborakh |title=В Петербурге завершился подсчёт всех голосов на губернаторских выборах |date=15 September 2014 |trans-title=Petersburg completed the counting of all votes in the gubernatorial elections |access-date=2014-12-14 |archive-date=2015-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115180403/http://fedpress.ru/news/elections/elections_parties/1410780624-v-peterburge-zavershilsya-podschet-vsekh-golosov-na-gubernatorskikh-vyborakh}} Poltavchenko used the Strategy for the Economic and Social Development of St. Petersburg until 2030, adopted in May 2014, as his election program.[http://itar-tass.com/spb-news/1240379 Полтавченко назвал своей предвыборной программой стратегию развития города до 2030 года] At the same time, critics noted that the elections were virtually uncontested since the leading opposition candidate, Oksana Dmitriyeva, a representative of the A Just Russia party, could not overcome the municipal filter.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2527035 |title=Оксана Дмитриева сошла с дистанции |date=17 July 2014 |trans-title=Oksana Dmitriyeva left the race |access-date=2014-12-14 |archive-date=2014-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214172427/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2527035}} In this regard, the A Just Russia and Yabloko parties announced their non-recognition of the election results and the legitimacy of the elected governor.{{Cite web |url=http://www.regnum.ru/news/1823725.html |title=«Яблоко» и «СР»: Петербургская власть прикрывает глаза на беспредел во время муниципальных выборов |trans-title="Yabloko" and "SR": the St. Petersburg authorities close their eyes to lawlessness during the municipal elections |access-date=2014-12-14 |archive-date=2014-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219132622/http://www.regnum.ru/news/1823725.html}}
In June 2016, Poltavchenko signed a decree on the erection of the Akhmad Kadyrov Bridge in St. Petersburg.
In December 2016, Poltavchenko transferred St. Isaac's Cathedral to the Russian Orthodox Church.{{cite web |url=https://rg.ru/2017/01/11/reg-szfo/isaakivskij-sobor-ne-perestanet-rabotat-kak-muzej.html |title=Возвращение святого Исаакия |trans-title=Return of Saint Isaac |website=Rossiyskaya Gazeta |date=11 January 2017 |accessdate=2017-03-14 |archive-date=2017-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315002033/https://rg.ru/2017/01/11/reg-szfo/isaakivskij-sobor-ne-perestanet-rabotat-kak-muzej.html}} Currently, the transfer process of the cathedral is frozen.
During Poltavchenko's term in St. Petersburg, five stations of the St. Petersburg metro were opened, and the city's highest number of churches in recent history was built.{{Cite web |lang=ru |url=https://spb.aif.ru/politic/situation/chem_zapomnilsya_georgiy_poltavchenko_na_postu_gubernatora_peterburga |title=Чем запомнился Георгий Полтавченко на посту губернатора Петербурга?|trans-title=How is Georgy Poltavchenko remembered as governor of St. Petersburg? |website=spb.aif.ru |date=2018-10-04 |access-date=2022-02-03 |archive-date=2021-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516165047/https://spb.aif.ru/politic/situation/chem_zapomnilsya_georgiy_poltavchenko_na_postu_gubernatora_peterburga}}
One of the main reforms for which the citizens of St. Petersburg are grateful to Poltavchenko is the rejection of reagents on the roads in the winter. The streets of the northern capital were no longer sprinkled with salt, which allowed the city to maintain its grand appearance and remain snow-white throughout the winter. The reagents were replaced by granite chips: they do not corrode shoes and are much cheaper for the city. Petersburgers note that winter in the city has become much brighter and more elegant. In 2021, the reagents returned to the city streets due to an abnormally snowy winter.
Poltavchenko solved the issue of heating supply, which warmed the houses of St. Petersburg. According to the old regulations, waiting until the air temperature rose above 8°C for five days was necessary. Now, heating is supplied to houses according to the weather.
Controversy
= LGBT Dispute =
In March 2012, Poltavchenko drew the ire of the LGBT community in Russia after he approved a controversial law penalizing the propaganda of homosexuality.{{cn|date=April 2023}} In retaliation, the LGBT community in Russia sent letters to the United States, the European Union, Australia and Canada asking them to ban entry for city officials behind the controversial gay propaganda ban.{{cn|date=April 2023}}
= Plagiarism =
In May 2013, according to examination of his doctoral thesis made by Dissernet, Poltavchenko was accused of plagiarism: an overwhelming part of the text had been copy-pasted from several other doctoral theses and books.[http://wiki.dissernet.org/w/PoltavchenkoGS2004.html Published results of the expertise of Georgy Poltavchenko’s thesis on Dissernet server][http://en.itar-tass.com/opinions/1515 Russian authorities to put an end to ‘cribbing’ in theses]
Awards
;Russian
- {{flag|Russia}}: Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 3rd class (2008)
- {{flag|Russia}}: Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 4th class (2003)
- {{flag|Russia}}: Order of Alexander Nevsky (2013)
;Dynastic orders
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Georgy Sergeyevich Poltavchenko}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061101191234/http://research.rencap.com/eng/government/government_detail02.asp Bio on Georgy Poltavchenko]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120304064651/http://2004.kremlin.ru/state_subj/27829.shtml Биография на сайте Президента России]
- [http://www.customsunion.ru/persprint/1065.html Биография на сайте customsunion.ru]
- [http://www.lenta.ru/lib/14159386/full.htm Полтавченко, Георгий в Лентапедии]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120119151734/http://www.politjournal.ru/index.php?action=Articles&dirid=72&tek=915&issue=26 Наместник полуцарства]
- [http://www.fap.ru/index.php?nt=hot_news&id=1925 Лауреаты международной премии Андрея Первозванного "За Веру и Верность" в 2003 году]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120106222146/http://volgainform.ru/allnews/978392/ Георгий Полтавченко: В ЦФО надо строить больше малоэтажного жилья]
- [https://twitter.com/G_Poltavchenko/ Персональный твиттер-аккаунт Георгия Сергеевича Полтавченко]
{{S-start}}
{{S-bef|before=Valentina Matviyenko}}
{{S-ttl|title=Governor of Saint Petersburg|years=2011–2018}}
{{S-aft|after=Alexander Beglov (acting) }}
{{S-end}}
{{Russian presidential envoys to the federal districts}}
{{Governors of Saint Petersburg}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Poltavchenko, Georgy}}
Category:1st class Active State Councillors of the Russian Federation
Category:Azerbaijani emigrants
Category:Immigrants to the Soviet Union
Category:Recipients of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 3rd class
Category:Recipients of the Order of Honour (Russia)
Category:Recipients of the Order of Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow
Category:Medvedev Administration personnel
Category:Russian people of Ukrainian descent
Category:Plenipotentiary Representatives of the President of the Russian Federation in the regions