Expert sees no economic grounds for a series of resignations in Northern Caucasus

When assessing the effectiveness of the leaders for the North-Caucasian regions and making a decision on resignations, the Kremlin draws attention to conflicts in the regional elites, rather than to economic indicators. This was told in an interview given to the "Caucasian Knot" by Professor Natalia Zubarevich from the Geography Department of the Moscow State University (MSU). According to the Professor, there are no adequate socio-economic indicators to assess the situation in the Caucasus, since the shadow economy proportion is too large in the regions.

There are no economic grounds for a series of resignations of governors in Russia, and this is a political story, related to a low level of support in the regions and conflicts of elites. This is the way how Natalia Zubarevich commented on the connection between the resignation of Dagestani leader Ramazan Abdulatipov and the economic failures of the region.

"Dagestan will be able to develop if corruption bonds are removed from small and medium-sized businesses. However, how can it be done in conditions of over-pressure from law enforcers and clan war?" added the expert.

The requests of the Chechnya authorities to increase revenues from the federal budget due to population growth have no real basis, Natalia Zubarevich noted.

Because of the irresponsible budget policy implemented by the authorities of North Ossetia, the republic today is one of the most depressive regions of Russia, Natalia Zubarevich has also said.

According to the Professor, the situation in Kabardino-Balkaria is even worse.

On the general background, "Adygea can be positively distinguished" among the republics of Northern Caucasus.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.