The City Counsil has, after an enduring bickering with the city's mayor, decided to fire him. The conflict between the council and Subbotin administration, which came to power after elections in March 2009, culminated Thursday, when the city council voted to depose the city's mayor. The decision was unanimous.

Subbotin has chosen to defend its position in court, and until a verdict the deputy mayor Palamartsjuk is acting as mayor in the city.

From day one there has been a tense atmosphere between Subbotin and the city council and its chairman, Alexey Veller. Accusation between the parties has rained, and now harbors thus dispute in court. Whatever the outcome there, it is unlikely that we see Subbotin in the mayor chair again. In addition to the city council, he also is opposed by Russia's leading party, Unified Russia. Governor Dmitrienko has also gone out with the support of the City Council's criticism of Subbotin.

This conflict adds to a good old Murmansk tradition. It has for many years ruled a conflict condition between city and oblast, which has been very damaging for the development of the city and the region. Until Murmansk get in place clear power structures, in which the various authorities play as a team, it will be difficult to solve the many major challenges facing the region.