2023 Omsk Oblast gubernatorial election

State Duma member Alexander Burkov, a prominent politician from Sverdlovsk Oblast, was appointed acting Governor of Omsk Oblast in October 2017, replacing two-term Governor Viktor Nazarov.[1] Burkov became the first A Just Russia governor since Konstantin Ilkovsky's resignation in Zabaykalsky Krai in early 2016 and the only governor from the party until Oleg Nikolayev's appointment as Head of Chuvashia in January 2020. Burkov ran for a full term in September 2018 as an Independent, endorsed by A Just Russia, United Russia and CPRF, and overwhelmingly won the election with 82.6% of the vote.[2]

Despite generally conventional term in office, Burkov faced criticism for personnel recruitment, notably, two regional health ministers were fired over the course of 2020 due to poor COVID-19 response, one of them, Irina Soldatova, was later arrested for abuse of power.[3] During 2022–2023 several other prominent officials were sacked, including construction minister Mikhail Gubin (for breach of trust) and education minister Tatyana Dernova (for failure to meet school construction deadlines). Governor Burkov also clashed with fellow former A Just Russia State Duma member Aleksandr Chetverikov, a prominent agribusinessman who started several projects in Omsk Oblast with Burkov's support. Burkov accused Chetverikov of embezzlement in early 2021, which led to criminal case against the businessman.[4] United Russia ratings in the region also consistently slipped, as the party narrowly won 32.90% of the vote, while CPRF placed second with 31.19%.[5] Communist candidates Andrey Alekhin and Oleg Smolin also won in Omsk and Moskalenki constituencies, respectively, while United Russia candidate Oksana Fadina, Mayor of Omsk, won in Lyubinsky constituency.

On 29 March 2023 Aleksandr Burkov asked for resignation from the governor's post, President Vladimir Putin approved the request and appointed Prime Minister of Donetsk People's Republic Vitaliy Khotsenko as acting Governor of Omsk Oblast.[6] Other candidates were also rumoured to be considered as Burkov's replacements, namely, United Russia State Duma member Igor Antropenko and Communist Deputy Presidential Envoy to the Siberian Federal District Oleg Denisenko.[7] Khotsenko, a so-called "school of governors" graduate, became the second government official with prior Donbass executive experience to be appointed governor (the first was Vladislav Kuznetsov, appointed acting Governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug two weeks earlier).

In Omsk Oblast candidates for Governor can be nominated only by registered political parties or by self-nomination. Candidate for Governor of Omsk Oblast should be a Russian citizen and at least 30 years old. Candidates for Governor should not have a foreign citizenship or residence permit. Each candidate in order to be registered is required to collect at least 5% of signatures of members and heads of municipalities.[8] In addition, self-nominated candidates should collect 0.5% of signatures of Omsk Oblast residents (around 7,500 signatures). Also gubernatorial candidates present 3 candidacies to the Federation Council and election winner later appoints one of the presented candidates.

• 2023 Russian regional elections