Penza, 24 July 2014. PenzaNews. “Bochkarev's regime” in the Penza region starts to resemble an authoritarian government in one single region, wrote the columnist of the daily current affairs newspaper “UtroNews.ru” Alexander Ivanov in his article “Authoritarianism in Penza?” which was , July 23.
Among other points, the author relates the recent resignation of Roman Chernov, first deputy chairman of the Penza region, with the incident that occurred at an operational meeting in the government of the region on July 14, when governor Vasily Bochkarev rudely drove his subordinate out of the courtroom.
In addition to that, the article columnist reminds about the regional budget deficit, government corruption, as well as personal business enterprises of the governor's nephew, and the governor’s initiatives which “brought Bochkarev the fame of a tyrant.”
“Let’s recall how in October 2011, he instructed the mayor of Penza Roman Chernov to resettle the homeless and make a commune or a cooperative society for them to live in. Also, he suggested to de-bonus the head doctors of hospitals in those areas where the birth rate is reducing. In June 2013, he instructed the ministers to lose weight. Amid rising budget deficit, regional public debt, deterioration of the socio-economic situation, and ambiguity of personnel decisions, one question becomes relevant: Does the region need Bochkarev?” Alexander Ivanov asks.
