Serdobsk, 12 March 2013. PenzaNews. Anton Sharonov, former head of Serdobsk area administration, commented in an interview with news agency PenzaNews on the decision of deputies to remove him from the office.

© PenzaNewsBuy the photo

“Today, members of the representative assembly decided at a special session to release me from the post in accordance with Art. 278 of Labor Code of Russia [“Additional grounds for cancellation of the labor contract with organization head”] without explanation, without motivation but simply on the basis that they are representatives of the owner of the organization that I run,” he said.

Anton Sharonov also stated that he intends to resign from the position of secretary of the political council of the United Russia party’s local branch.

“I am going to retire from this position because today’s session marks a profound crisis in the regional party organization. Unfortunately, I was unable to prevent this crisis, so tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I will file an appropriate application,” the former official empasized.

According to him, the United Russia faction in Serdobsk area took the unprecedented step, deciding to dismiss the head of the administration in accordance with Art. 278 of Labor Code.

“I do not remember that heads of municipalities and urban districts in the Penza region were dismissed on this ground. This is not an expression of distrust – if it were so, then I would have to resign through court action – but simply an initiative of some deputies who choose to exercise their rights,” Anton Sharonov noted.

“Legally, they are right, but politically, I think this step is wrong,” he added.

According to information available to news agency “PenzaNews,” Alexey Serov, who was previously Anton Sharonov’s deputy, was appointed for the position of acting head of Serdobsk area administration until the contest for the vacant position held.