Trukhanov is on the verge of losing citizenship: Zelensky may create a military administration in Odesa
13 October 17:21
The Odesa-based Dumskaya newspaper reported that a presidential commission has allegedly decided to deprive Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov of Ukrainian citizenship, reports
According to the newspaper’s sources, the next step is for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign the decree, reports
However, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, citing its own source close to the commission, said that no official decision has been made yet.
“It’s possible that something will change in the evening, but right now there is nothing,” the source said.
What will happen to the city authorities?
According to Article 79 of the Law “On Local Self-Government,” the powers of the mayor are terminated after the city council adopts a decision taking note of the fact of deprivation of citizenship.
Ihor Koval, the secretary of the city council and a representative of the Servant of the People party, is to temporarily act as mayor.
“There are a lot of rumors that have not been officially confirmed, so I will not comment on them. Today, I am acting as the secretary of the city council, and life will show what happens next,” Koval said.
What are the options for Bankova Street?
Experts do not rule out that if the decision to deprive him of citizenship is confirmed, the president may create a city military administration in Odesa that is directly subordinate to Kyiv.
However, in this case, the new head will get the city council, which will remain in place and may become opposed to the “president’s man.”
What they say in Odesa
Former city council secretary Oleksiy Potapsky warned that Trukhanov’s ouster could cause chaos in the city, especially on the eve of the heating season.
“Different structures will fall like dominoes. People will leave their positions because they worked and built certain relationships with the leadership. How do you enter the heating season in such a situation? And all the negatives will now go directly to Zelensky,” Potapsky said.
Who is Hennadiy Trukhanov?
Hennadii Trukhanov has been the mayor of Odesa since 2014 and has been elected three times.
His political career has been marred by accusations of dual passports, business ties to Russia, and criminal cases, including embezzlement in the purchase of the Krayan building.
Trukhanov appeared in the Panama Papers and was a longtime member of the Trust the Deeds party, which was created on the basis of former members of the Party of Regions.
If the presidential decree is signed
If the presidential decree is signed, the decision must be confirmed by the city council, after which Trukhanov will lose his powers as mayor.
Meanwhile, there has been no official confirmation from the Presidential Office or the State Migration Service
