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Вологодский губернатор Филимонов потребовал, чтобы его благодарили за работу
Irkutsk Governor Kobzev Threatens to Resign Over Moscow's Meddling
Governor Igor Kobzev of Russia's Irkutsk Oblast has threatened to resign over what he calls excessive interference from Moscow in regional affairs.
In a statement on his official website on Tuesday, Kobzev accused the federal government of “constant pressure and diktat” and said that he would step down if the situation did not improve.
Kobzev is the latest in a growing number of regional leaders to speak out against the Kremlin's increasingly centralized approach to governance. In recent months, governors in several other regions, including Khabarovsk Krai and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, have also publicly criticized Moscow's policies.
Kobzev's threat to resign is a significant development, as Irkutsk is one of Russia's largest and most important regions. It is home to over 2.4 million people and is a major center of industry and agriculture.
Kobzev's statement did not specify what specific actions by the federal government had prompted his threat to resign. However, he has previously criticized Moscow's decision to merge several municipalities in Irkutsk Oblast without consulting local officials.
The Kremlin has not yet responded to Kobzev's threat to resign. However, it is likely that the federal government will be reluctant to let him go, as his resignation would be a major blow to its authority.
Kobzev's threat to resign is a sign of the growing tensions between the Kremlin and regional leaders. As the Kremlin continues to tighten its grip on power, it is likely that we will see more regional leaders speaking out against Moscow's policies.