He was born in Azerbaijan in 1953; his father was of Ukrainian descent. He studied at Leningrad Aviation Instrument-Making Institute. After graduation he worked at Leninets Research and Production Association and at a district Komsomol (Young Communists' League) committee in Leningrad. He began service in the KGB in 1979. From 1980 to 1990, he occupied various posts in the KGB, ultimately becoming chief of department, Vyborg directorate, regional department of KGB in Leningrad and the Leningrad region. Georgy was deputy of the Leningrad Regional Council from 1990 to 1993, deputy of Leningrad Regional Council. He was then chief of St. Petersburg directorate, Federal Tax Police from 1993 to 1999. He ran for the Leningrad city council unsuccessfully in 1998. From 1999 to 2000, he was plenipotentiary representative of the Russian President to Leningrad Oblast.
Political career
Governor of Saint Petersburg
Poltavchenko served as Governor of St. Petersburg from 31 August 2011 to 3 October 2018.
On 22 August 2011, Georgy Poltavchenko was appointed Acting Governor of St. Petersburg.[3] On 27 August 2011, the United Russia party supported Poltavchenko's candidacy for the post of governor of St. Petersburg. On 30 August, PresidentDmitry Medvedev approved Poltavchenko's candidacy as governor of St. Petersburg.[4]
On 31 August 2011, the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg was endowed with the powers of the Governor of St. Petersburg. 37 deputies supported his candidacy, while five abstained from voting, and none voted against it.[5] On the same day, he took office as governor of St. Petersburg.[6] He retained his membership in the Security Council in his new position.[7]
In the early elections of the governor of St. Petersburg in 2014, Poltavchenko won 79.3% of the vote and retained his position.[10] Poltavchenko used the Strategy for the Economic and Social Development of St. Petersburg until 2030, adopted in May 2014, as his election program.[11] At the same time, critics noted that the elections were virtually uncontested since the leading opposition candidate, Oksana Dmitriyeva, a representative of the A Just Russia party, could not overcome the municipal filter.[12] In this regard, the A Just Russia and Yabloko parties announced their non-recognition of the election results and the legitimacy of the elected governor.[13]
In June 2016, Poltavchenko signed a decree on the erection of the Akhmad Kadyrov Bridge in St. Petersburg.
During Poltavchenko's term in St. Petersburg, five stations of the St. Petersburg metro were opened, and the city's highest number of churches in recent history was built.[15]
One of the main reforms for which the citizens of St. Petersburg are grateful to Poltavchenko is the rejection of reagents on the roads in the winter. The streets of the northern capital were no longer sprinkled with salt, which allowed the city to maintain its grand appearance and remain snow-white throughout the winter. The reagents were replaced by granite chips: they do not corrode shoes and are much cheaper for the city. Petersburgers note that winter in the city has become much brighter and more elegant.[15] In 2021, the reagents returned to the city streets due to an abnormally snowy winter.
Poltavchenko solved the issue of heating supply, which warmed the houses of St. Petersburg. According to the old regulations, waiting until the air temperature rose above 8°C for five days was necessary. Now, heating is supplied to houses according to the weather.[15]
Poltavchenko proclaimed the policy of preserving the industrial potential of St. Petersburg. From 2012 to 2018, more than 100 new industries were created in St. Petersburg, and the city reached a significant growth rate of industrial production, which continues to grow even now (more than 5% annually).[16] Decisions were made regarding preserving industries within the city, and many measures were agreed upon to support the domestic industry, which became most relevant in 2014 when retaliatory sanctions came into force.
Poltavchenko brought city holidays to a new level. For example, on the Day of the City, Petersburgers are now accustomed to the generally accessible beauty. Classics on Palace Square is a unique format that allows everyone to enjoy the performance of world opera and ballet stars for free.[17]
On 3 October 2018, by decree of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Poltavchenko was dismissed from the post of Governor of St. Petersburg in connection with the transfer to another job: Georgy Poltavchenko was invited to head the board of directors of the United Shipbuilding Corporation. On 25 December 2018, he was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Shipbuilding Corporation.
Controversy
LGBT Dispute
In March 2012, Poltavchenko drew the ire of the LGBT community in Russia after he approved a controversial law penalizing the propaganda of homosexuality.[citation needed] In retaliation, the LGBT community in Russia sent letters to the United States, the European Union, Australia and Canada asking them to ban entry for city officials behind the controversial gay propaganda ban.[citation needed]
Plagiarism
In May 2013, according to examination of his doctoral thesis made by Dissernet, Poltavchenko was accused of plagiarism: an overwhelming part of the text had been copy-pasted from several other doctoral theses and books.[18][19]
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