Leonid Gorbenko
Encyclopedia
Leonid Gorbenko was a Russia
n politician. He was elected the 2nd Governor of Kaliningrad Oblast
in 1996, serving in that office until 2000.
Kalinigrad's first governor, Yuri Matochkin
, was appointed by Russian President Boris Yeltsin
. Matochkin pursued largely pro-Western policies and tried to boost ties to Kalinigrad's neighboring countries in the Baltic. Leonid Gorbenko defeated Matochkin in the 1996 gubernatorial election.
In 1998, Gorbenko declared a state of emergency
in Kalinigrad following the 1998 Russian financial crisis. The state of emergency was illegal under Russian law, but allowed Gorbenko to consolidate his hold on power. Gorbenko, unlike his predecessor, pursued an isolationist policy toward Kalinigrad's neighbors and the rest of Russia. His administration had a reputation for corruption and mismanagement, with connections to many of Kalinigrad's businesses.
City and local officials in Kaliningrad Oblast were largely dissatisfied with Gorbenko's isolationalist policies. Many municipalities created their own development plans to attract Russian and foreign investors and business.
Vladimir Putin
became Russia's second president in May 2000. Putin, who was dissatisfied with Leonid Gorbenko's policies, openly supported Gorbenko's opponent in the 2000 Kalinigrad gubernatorial election, Admiral
Vladimir Yegorov
, the former Commander
of Russia's Baltic Fleet
,. In November 2000, Yegorov defeated Gorbenko in the election.
Leonid Gorbenko died on 7 August 2010, at the age of 71.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n politician. He was elected the 2nd Governor of Kaliningrad Oblast
Kaliningrad Oblast
Kaliningrad Oblast is a federal subject of Russia situated on the Baltic coast. It has a population of The oblast forms the westernmost part of the Russian Federation, but it has no land connection to the rest of Russia. Since its creation it has been an exclave of the Russian SFSR and then the...
in 1996, serving in that office until 2000.
Kalinigrad's first governor, Yuri Matochkin
Yuri Matochkin
Yuri Matochkin, also spelled Yury Matochkin, was a Russian politician. He was the first post-Soviet governor of Kaliningrad Oblast, having been appointed to that position by Boris Yeltsin in September 1991. Matochkin was elected to the Federation Council in 1993 and served on the International...
, was appointed by Russian President Boris Yeltsin
Boris Yeltsin
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.Originally a supporter of Mikhail Gorbachev, Yeltsin emerged under the perestroika reforms as one of Gorbachev's most powerful political opponents. On 29 May 1990 he was elected the chairman of...
. Matochkin pursued largely pro-Western policies and tried to boost ties to Kalinigrad's neighboring countries in the Baltic. Leonid Gorbenko defeated Matochkin in the 1996 gubernatorial election.
In 1998, Gorbenko declared a state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
in Kalinigrad following the 1998 Russian financial crisis. The state of emergency was illegal under Russian law, but allowed Gorbenko to consolidate his hold on power. Gorbenko, unlike his predecessor, pursued an isolationist policy toward Kalinigrad's neighbors and the rest of Russia. His administration had a reputation for corruption and mismanagement, with connections to many of Kalinigrad's businesses.
City and local officials in Kaliningrad Oblast were largely dissatisfied with Gorbenko's isolationalist policies. Many municipalities created their own development plans to attract Russian and foreign investors and business.
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin served as the second President of the Russian Federation and is the current Prime Minister of Russia, as well as chairman of United Russia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Russia and Belarus. He became acting President on 31 December 1999, when...
became Russia's second president in May 2000. Putin, who was dissatisfied with Leonid Gorbenko's policies, openly supported Gorbenko's opponent in the 2000 Kalinigrad gubernatorial election, Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Vladimir Yegorov
Vladimir Yegorov
Vladimir Yegorov was the governor of Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia in 2001-2005. He was Admiral commanding the Baltic Fleet before he became governor. He was born in Moscow in 1938.-Naval Service:...
, the former Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
of Russia's Baltic Fleet
Baltic Fleet
The Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...
,. In November 2000, Yegorov defeated Gorbenko in the election.
Leonid Gorbenko died on 7 August 2010, at the age of 71.