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Gennady Kernes (right) and his deputy Igor Terekhov (left)
Gennady Kernes was re-elected mayor of Kharkov. However, for a long time no one saw him, except a narrow circle of those closest to him: the mayor is still in the Berlin clinic “Charite”, where he is being treated for the severe form of Covid-19 and its consequences.
Amid the mystery surrounding Kernes’s health, rumors of his death regularly appear. The last time, the other day. However, his family and associates refute these rumors, although they do not provide evidence that the mayor is recovering (for example, a video with him).
“Strana” spoke with Kharkiv’s first deputy mayor Igor Terekhov about how Kernes will feel when he returns and whether he will be able to run the city.
– How will the city authorities work if Kernes does not return or cannot manage the mayor’s office?
– We do not consider such a scenario at all, because, according to doctors, nothing threatens your health. This is the first. Second, our opponents started conversations about such development of events during the election campaign. This was dirty pre-election technology intended to demoralize Gennady Kernes voters and reduce their turnout as a result. The thesis on “who will lead Kharkov instead of Kernes?” methodically, for several weeks, he was hammered on the head of the Kharkovites. But, as you can see, this did not help the opponents at all.
And I can say that today we understand it clearly: Gennady Adolfovich will return and work in an absolutely normal state.
And third, not once in all the time Kernes was mayor was there no such thing as missing the City Council session.
– Why are you so sure that Kernes will return?
– Through the relatives of Gennady Adolfovich, and the doctors have the right to speak only to them, and you cannot enter this clinic from the street or call and ask about the health of Kernes, we receive information from the doctors of the Charite clinic , where Gennady Adolfovich is located. And this information tells us that the mayor’s office can manage.
– So, can you directly answer the question: when will you return?
– When he flew from Kharkiv on the Charité, he had a coronavirus, pneumonia, affecting up to 70 percent. Also, remember, in 2014 he was seriously injured. The bullet damaged his liver, kidney, tore a piece of lung, disrupted his spine, but he survived. In the context of covid, he also began to have some problems related precisely to the consequences of this injury. And in “Charite” he flew not to deal with the coronavirus, we talked about this many times, but journalists and opponents stubbornly did not want to hear it. At the insistence of his relatives, he flew away to treat the consequences of the injury that were aggravated in the context of the covid. Now he does not have coronavirus. The doctors also stopped many things, the dynamics are positive, nothing threatens his life and performance, but so far there is a problem with lung function.
Doctors even forbade him to speak for a long time. A week and a half ago, they weren’t allowed to talk more than half an hour a day. Every morning a consultation takes place in his ward, in which they decide whether he can be released. And as soon as the German doctors are satisfied with the work of the lungs, Gennady Adolfovich will return immediately. And he will manage the office of the mayor of Kharkiv, the city council and the executive committee of the city, as it was before he left for Berlin.
– Judging from the fragmentary information about Kernes’ health, including his children, there is reason to believe that his rehabilitation may take many months. What should be done in this case?
– From fragmentary information, you can assume anything, that’s why it is fragmentary information. I, who do not have the right to disclose everything I know about his state of health, I tell you again: today we are not considering the option of Kernes not attending the town hall session. This is the first. And second: if you suddenly assume that you are right and you will need several months to rehabilitate, and you are not, there will be no catastrophe in this.
The city has been living in Kernes’s absence for two months. He created a strong management system for the city, which during his absence did not fail, and allowed his team to win the elections. The city normally enters the heating season, garbage is removed, roads are repaired, infrastructure is developed. If we assume that you will need several months for the rehabilitation, that’s fine, especially since you will be here and you will be able to influence the processes not from an office in the mayor’s office, but from your home. But trust me, you are wrong about long-term rehab.
– But these are just your words so far. Why haven’t they provided evidence that Kernes is in a capable state, which would immediately dispel all rumors? Why isn’t there an up-to-date video of Kernes, alive, aware, confirming his words that everything is in order with him and that he can act as mayor?
– This question is not for me, it is in Kharkov. This is a question for Gennady Adolfovich. I am sure that as soon as the doctors allow full communication, there will be a video clip, an appeal and a photo. We must be patient. Furthermore, the electoral campaign is over, the city leads a normal and stable life. We have plans for what we will do next. Everybody needs to calm down today. And Kernes will appear in Kharkov and lead the city in the same way that he did until today. Nothing will change.
– When will the first session of the newly elected City Council take place?
– The official results of the elections for the mayor of Kharkiv were announced yesterday. Today, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow – to the regional and municipal councils. Then the starting point will begin. To the extent possible by law, we must hold the first session of the City Council before December 20. This is our deadline.
– Are they considered candidates for the temporary replacement of Kernes in office?
– For what? Remember, at the beginning of the interview, I talked about the dirty technology that was released during the elections; they say, who will run Kharkiv instead of Kernes? So when I read all of these options, I clearly understand that she did not influence Kernes voters, but left an indelible impression on journalists. We have been walking in the same circle for half an hour, and I repeat: there are no temporary performances. Remember how in that movie – “acting czar” (the movie “Ivan Vasilyevich changes profession” – Ed.). There’s no such thing.
– What is there?
– There are clearly detailed procedural questions for any case, a legal answer is set for each question.
– So what will be the legal response if the mayor cannot return to the first session of the City Council, cannot take the oath and, therefore, cannot take office?
– We are not considering this scenario at all, because it will not apply. Kernes will return to Kharkov and will hold a session of the City Council until December 20. We start from this scenario. The rest are not even considered.
– Are you in direct contact with Kernes?
– I spoke with Gennady Adolfovich on the phone.
– When?
– The other day, after the elections.
– How did he talk to you? Was it difficult for you to speak?
– I repeat that only a week and a half ago, the doctors allowed him to speak for half an hour a day, so the conversation was short-lived. But Kernes communicated perfectly well. I told him the result we got in the local elections. I was pleased.
