The head of Dagestan, Ramazan Abdulatipov, announced his intention to resign on September 27 after visiting and consulting with its leader. The formal reason for resignation is age. The head of Dagestan is now 71 years old; according to the law on civil service, 70 years is the age limit for a civil servant. Abdulatipov himself said that he proposed several candidates for his post.
“We are conscientious people, so we understand when we need to write about resigning. There are some general laws. Well, 71 years already. Personnel are being replanted,” Ramazan Abdulatipov commented on his decision to the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station.
Abdulatipov’s resignation is the first change in the leadership of the North Caucasus republic in a long time. At the same time, it fits into the current course of the federal center towards the renewal of the Russian elite. Last week, the media announced the resignation of up to ten heads of Russian regions in the near future. Sources of Gazeta.Ru named the heads of the Samara and Nizhny Novgorod regions and the head of the Krasnoyarsk Territory in the forefront. The president dismissed the first two from office on Monday and Tuesday, the third announced the decision himself on Wednesday, September 27.
As Gazeta.Ru’s interlocutors close to the leadership of Dagestan note, “the resignation of the head was predicted for a long time,” but Abdulatipov himself made it clear that he enjoys Putin’s trust and does not intend to resign.
Avarets Abdulatipov was appointed acting head of Dagestan in 2013 and a little later was approved for this post by the country's parliament. A former Soviet scientist, he was one of the iconic political figures of the 1990s. As deputy chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, he led difficult negotiations with the Kremlin during the political crisis of 1993.
However, despite the good qualities of the negotiator, it was not possible to cope with the difficult situation in multinational Dagestan, where there is an ongoing struggle against radical Islamist groups. An important problem for the republic in recent years has been the mass exodus of young people to Syria to join radical terrorist groups.
In an interview with Gazeta.Ru in 2015, Abdullatipov said that about 600 people left the region for Syria:
“Some go after selling their property, and these are not always the poor and unfortunate who have nowhere to go. To a greater extent, these are people who no longer find support in Dagestan itself.”
At the same time, Nabi Abdullaev, a leading analyst at the international consulting company Control Risks, notes in a conversation with Gazeta.Ru that Abdulatipov “was lucky that Syria attracted the radicals and the tension subsided. Somehow everyone breathed a calmer breath.”
At the same time, local residents also often complained about the lawlessness of the security forces, who allegedly often detained citizens on far-fetched charges of terrorism and for the sake of “sweet reporting.” The republic's public was outraged by the recent acquittal of Badrudin Musaev, the son of the mayor of Makhachkala, who staged a daring drive with gross traffic violations at an intersection right in the center of Makhachkala and attacked the approaching police officers with his fists.
Federal authorities recognized that certain successes had been achieved under Abdulatipov's rule. In terms of economic growth rates, the republic was in the top ten Russian regions, and in terms of tax collection rates it took fourth place. The head of Dagestan himself noted that in order to improve the situation, 80% of district leaders who had been in office for 10-15 years had to be replaced. “We have replaced about 80% of the heads of districts and cities of Dagestan,” he told Gazeta.Ru.
Under Abdulatipov, the situation with tourism also began to improve - the rise in prices for trips abroad helped. As local residents noted, more and more Russians from other regions and federal capitals began to appear at the winter mountain resorts of the republic. Statistics confirm their words: in 2016, 20% more tourists came to the republic than in 2015.
It is not yet known who will replace Abdulatipov as head of the republic, but the choice that the Kremlin faces is quite difficult. The appointment of an unacceptable candidate could cause a negative reaction in the multinational republic - more than 100 nationalities live in Dagestan, and this is a key factor influencing the appointment of a new head of the republic.
Abdulatipov, who left the post of head of the republic, was an Avar, and the publication’s interlocutors believe that there is a 99% chance that the new head of the republic will not be an Avar.
“One of the possible candidates for the position of head of the republic is the deputy chairman, a Dargin,” says one of the interlocutors familiar with the situation.
Candidates may also be found among “smart businessmen squeezed out of the republic” and security officials responsible for security in the region. “Everyone is waiting for something new, based on [their] mentality: clans that have lost power - the return of their feudal lord; those who consider themselves patriots expect someone who is not involved in corruption. But he will appoint the center based on his understanding of usefulness - devotion,” the interlocutor notes.
The head of Dagestan, Ramazan Abdulatipov, confirmed to the media that he will resign in the near future. He cites his age as the reason - 71 years old. He did not answer what Mr. Abdulatipov intends to do in the future. The presidential decree on resignation has not yet been officially published.
“I will submit my resignation,” said the head of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov in an interview with the radio station “Moscow Speaks.” “Most likely today. What's next? I'll return somewhere if I'm alive and well. I have a very wide range of interests in this regard.” Mr. Abdulatipov cited his age as the reason for this decision (the head of the republic turned 71 on August 4), making it clear that this decision was made not by him, but by the administration of the President of Russia (AP). “The reasons for the resignation are age has come, 71 years already,” he said. “I think this reason is because on all other issues the republic is on the rise, it has emerged from the severe crisis in which it was.”
Rumors about his impending resignation accompanied Ramazan Abdulatipov throughout his entire period in power. In February of this year, giving a report to deputies of the People's Assembly, he even spoke about the “Abdulatipov paradox,” which was formulated by “one of the federal officials.” When asked by the head of the republic what kind of paradox this was, the official replied that throughout his work in Dagestan, rumors about his resignation did not stop: “You achieve positive dynamics within three or four years, but you have already been fired 48 times.” “As of today, it’s 52 times,” Mr. Abdulatipov clarified. “It’s useless, guys, don’t do this! This is not your responsibility.
The president of the country, the chairman of the government of the country, even Allah, inshallah, treat me normally - look what the weather is like! We are not the ones who decide these issues, this is not delegated to us,” he added.
Yulia Rybina, Makhachkala
The head of Dagestan, Ramazan Abdulatipov, confirmed rumors about his resignation, the radio station “Moscow Speaks” reports.
"I will be submitting my resignation," he told reporters. Abdulatipov added that he would most likely submit an application today, September 27.
Let us note that earlier the media reported that the document had already been submitted by Abdulatipov. An RBC interlocutor close to the security forces of Dagestan stated that Abdulatipov wrote the statement “of his own free will.”
Abdulatipov cited his age as the main reason for leaving - he turns 71 this year. “I think this is the reason because on all other issues the republic is on the rise, it has emerged from the severe crisis in which it was,” he said.
Moreover, on December 12, 2016, the head of Dagestan received only three points out of five in the “survival rating of governors.” In February 2017, participants in the forum in Moscow noted the existence of a deep crisis in the republic and demanded Abdulatipov’s resignation.
The head of the region could not say anything concrete regarding his future plans. “What’s next? I’ll return somewhere if I’m alive and well,” he said. According to Abdulatipov, in connection with his resignation, “great opportunities open up” for him: “Firstly, I worked as the head of the department at the Civil Service Academy. Secondly, I, in my opinion, am listed as a professor at Moscow State University, and so on. Therefore, I am more "I will be engaged in scientific activities. Social activities. Issues of education, culture. A lot of projects."
Abdulatipov added that he proposed several candidates for his post. “I named someone, they (the administration of the President of the Russian Federation. - Note website) they are looking for someone,” he said. The head of the region clarified that he “named a number of names”: “The decision is made by the president. I think there will be no problems with this. My only request was that Dagestan be handed over to respectable hands."
Let us note that RBC sources claimed that Abdulatipov was offered a number of positions in the Kremlin. He was also allegedly asked to name a candidate for a possible successor, but Abdulatipov refused: “He said that there were no wishes.”
Meanwhile, the media named three names as possible successors to Abdulatipov - former plenipotentiary representative in the North Caucasus Federal District Sergei Melikov, Minister of Internal Affairs of Dagestan Abdurashid Magomedov and Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government Alexander Khloponin.
Abdulatipov was “removed” unexpectedly when he decided to rest
Ramazan Abdulatipov was elected head of Dagestan on September 8, 2013 for a period of five years. Before that, from the early 1990s, he worked in the Federation Council and the State Duma, overseeing national issues and issues of local government development, and in 1998-1999 he was the Minister of National Policy.
The Vedomosti newspaper gave a forecast regarding Abdulatipov's impending resignation the day before. In addition, the Kommersant newspaper wrote about the coming wave of resignations of heads of Russian regions. It was noted that a total of 10 governors could lose their posts. Personnel changes were promised to a number of regions, as well as one or two subjects in the North Caucasus. The forecasts have already begun to come true. This week, the governor of the Samara region Nikolai Merkushkin, the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region Valery Shantsev and the head of the Krasnoyarsk region Viktor Tolokonsky resigned. Abdulatipov's resignation will be the second in a day.
The press service of the head of Dagestan categorically denied information about his resignation. Abdulatipov's press secretary Aznaur Adzhiev stated that such rumors have been spreading for four years, since Abdulatipov took office. “We call this the ‘Abdulatipov phenomenon’. So far, not a single such rumor has been confirmed,” said an RBC source.
Adzhiev reported that Abdulatipov has been on vacation since September 25. An RBC source noted that if resignation were being prepared, the head of the republic would hardly go on vacation.
RBC sources also noted that there were no signals about Abdulatipov’s resignation, although the former head of Dagestan, Magomedsalam Magomedov, works in the administration of the President of the Russian Federation. Let us note that in April of this year the media wrote that the Kremlin could return Magomedov to the post of head of Dagestan.
One of RBC’s interlocutors also added that Abdulatipov was confident that he would be warned about his resignation in advance and would be allowed to “work it off in the media” accordingly. However, on September 27, the publication’s sources reported that Abdulatipov was urgently summoned to the presidential administration. People around the region's head also said that the news of the resignation came as a surprise to him - he expected to see out his term until the end.
The website of the head of the republic reported that last week Abdulatipov flew to a meeting of the State Council Presidium in Ulyanovsk, where he met with President Vladimir Putin. Then “there was no talk of any resignation,” a RBC source close to the head of the region reported.
On September 27, 2017, the resignation of the head of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov took place. The politician remained in this position for four years, from September 8, 2013 - first as president, and on January 1, 2014, he changed the title of the position to the more modest “head”. This resignation was the 52nd for Abdulatipov (that is how many times, according to the calculations of the republican administration, rumors about his resignation arose). But now - real and final.
I'm between retirement and retirement. “Today I am writing a letter of resignation,” Ramazan Abdulatipov explained the situation on the air of Radio Komsomolskaya Pravda. - It had to be done. There are some general laws. 71 years already. Landscaping is underway. That's why I decided to join those who are not suitable for landscaping, so as not to interfere. Dagestan is now on the rise, we can talk about a way out of the most severe crisis. I thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for this, and he thanked me too. So it's very good to leave when you are thanked.
Ramazan Abdulatipov was given control of a region that was indeed very difficult in all respects: with an active terrorist underground, high unemployment, poorly developed infrastructure, and huge debts in the housing and communal services sector.
The politician solved problems as best he could. But he always did it in a very colorful way. “KP in the North Caucasus” decided to recall the most striking statements of the retired head of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov:
...that it’s enough to feed the Caucasus
“I am ashamed to go to Putin and say that his instructions are not being carried out. We all together brought Dagestan to this state. The feeding model that was formed between the federal center and the republic. He came, asked, received, ate... Asked again, ate again. You can’t live like that!” (November 25, 2013).
...about Stalin's methods
“I'm not going to pretend to be the president. I am 67 years old, I have depicted everything in this life that was possible. I want the republic to rise out of this Dark Ages. But so far people are working very sluggishly, they are dragging their feet. If it were Stalin times, it would have been possible, of course, to send a child to Magadan for three years. For re-education" (November 25, 2013).
...about the old anthem of Dagestan
“The anthem reminds me of letters of complaint from districts to management. It sounds like a funeral" (September 2015).
...about the need to pay bribes
“I came across Rosobrnadzor. I myself gave a bribe to Rosobrnadzor! Why are you laughing? I was the rector of the university, it was necessary to carry out the certification normally, as a human being. I was forced to pay a bribe. Although I have always been against this. People persuaded me, they said: “We will fail. We should have given them at least a little!” (April 27, 2017).
...about attempts to ban the celebration of New Year and Christmas in Dagestan
“New Year is an ancient Dagestan holiday. Those who lived far in the mountains as children must remember how we gathered on the longest winter night and celebrated the holiday, performing a number of rituals, including decorating trees. This holiday does not contradict any religious dogmas. And Christmas is ours! And then someone starts saying that this is not our holiday. How can a believer speak out against the Nativity of Christ? We consider him our prophet. And the second most important holiday, the Circumcision of the Lord, also speaks of our common roots” (December 2013).
...about difficulties in recruiting personnel
“Finding a normal mayor for Makhachkala turned out to be a difficult task. He appointed one, a man of science, in general he tried, but he does not know the huge economy. He directed the second one, he knows everything, but he tries to work a little for himself. If only a little, right? I think that Musa Musaev also works for himself a little bit” (August 2, 2017).
...about non-standard ways to combat terrorism
“Photos with the faces of these traitors should be posted on “boards of shame” in every village. The Untsukul district became famous thanks to the imams Shamil and Gazimagomed, and now it has been disgraced by the Gadzhidadaevs” (March 26, 2016).
...about how to correct the situation in Russian football
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Political scientists on who will replace Abdulatipov as head of Dagestan: it will be difficult to choose a candidate
“KP in the North Caucasus” asked the country’s leading political scientists to comment on the resignation of the leader of Dagestan, as well as to express their assumptions about the future prospects for both the entire republic and the future politician ().
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