Returning to the town he grew up in, in the state he represents in the Federal Assembly, the Governor of Kamchetka last night made his concession to his rival, Gennadiy Artamova, in a close primary race for the nomination of the opposition Union Party in October’s presidential election.
Stepan Michalvich, who was no stranger to the role of presidential candidate, having been defeated in the national poll for the post in 2003, was the early favourite to become the Unionist nominee, but found his campaign on the back-foot after his rival Artamova secured a triumphant first victory in the first primary contest, a month ago today in Dobryn. A former economic figure, Mr Michalvich ran what his supporters called a ‘strong campaign’ against Artamova, who was leader of the party running up to the election. Michalvich, who became Governor of the State of Kamchetka in 2007, won 42% of the total votes cast in Sunday’s election amongst 50 regions across the country. His team tonight conceded that it was now ‘virtually impossible’ for the governor to secure enough votes in the final race next week to win the nomination.
Over 10,000 of Michalvich’s supporters gathered to hear his concession speech to Mr Artamova in the main city square in Ivanopol – the city where the Governor started his working career.
Characterised as a ‘reformer’, many of his critics have described Mr Michalvich as ‘too moderate’ and ‘boring’ to lead the charge against the Centrists in the upcoming national election. But many outside of the Union Party are tonight calling the result a ‘tragedy’ clearing the way for the former-military commander-turned politician Artamova, that many consider a hard-line Sar nationalist, who has been no stranger to controversy over his years in the national frame.
At 58 years old, celebrating his birthday last Friday, Artamova is ten-years the younger of President Lukyanov and has been an ardent supporter of the president during his four year term. On a number occasions the former party leader has also shown his wild side – including during session in the Federal Council, criticising what he termed ‘rogue’ nations and attacking ‘conservatives’ for creating an ‘anti-unionist agenda’ across Gallia.
In his speech, Michalvich praised his rival for a ‘well fought campaign’ and said that while the contest still had a week to run, ‘it was over’ and that he had ‘accepted defeat’. Not down-beaten in front of the cameras, he went on to suggest that this was now the time to focus the party against its ‘clear rival’ for the ‘ideological heart’ of the country.
“Do not focus your efforts on me any longer, we must unite, stand together, and be ready to respond to those who say we have not done enough to govern this country. In just a few months we must take history by our arms and say – that Polasciana has elected its first unionist president,” said Mr Michalvich in a climactic end to his rousing speech.
Earlier jeering and boos could be heard as the governor expressed his support for Mr Artamova, “We have our candidate, the country has its next president.”
Many commentators are tonight insisting that the party will now find it difficult to win the presidential election, suggesting that Mr Artamova’s strong allegiance to the unpopular President Lukyanov will hurt him at the poll.
The Union Party tonight insist that they are ‘delighted’ that Mr Michalvich has openly supported Artamova but a source close to the Michalvich camp has claimed that the concession speech was ‘forced’ by the party itself. While Kamchetka gets to keep its Governor for the time being, the Union Party now must elect itself a new leader, as Artamova begins campaigning for the national election.
