2025 Komi head election

The 2025 Komi Republic head election will take place on 12–14 September 2025, on common election day, coinciding with 2025 Komi legislative election. Acting head of the Komi Republic Rostislav Goldstein is running for a full term in office.

Deputy Minister of Health of Russia Vladimir Uyba was appointed acting head of the Komi Republic in April 2020, replacing first-term incumbent Sergey Gaplikov.^[1] Gaplikov left after poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2018–2020 Shies ecological protests. Uyba ran for a full term as an Independent with United Russia support^[2] and won the election with 73.18% of the vote.^[3] However, Uyba's main opponent, State Council of the Komi Republic member and local Communist Party leader Oleg Mikhaylov, was barred from running after failing to pass the municipal filter.^[4]

Uyba's term as head of the Komi Republic was defined by numerous controversies and conflicts elicited by Uyba's behaviour.^[5] In April 2021 after head of the Komi Republic's annual address to the State Council of the Komi Republic Uyba obscenely responded to the criticism from State Council member Oleg Mikhaylov and personally threatened the politician.^[6] In May 2021 after an oil spill near Usinsk Uyba sparred with community members, calling himself "their Vladimir Putin" after one local resident suggested complaining to the Russian president.^[7] In December 2022 Uyba once again sparred with local residents, naming eco-activists "ecological trash" for their opposition to waste sorting facility construction.^[8] Finally, in April 2023 police officer in Syktyvkar asked Uyba to move his motorcade blocking a parking lot, however, the Komi head declined and publicly lambasted the law enforcement official.^[9]

Head of the Komi Republic's low public approval also translated to election results. In the 2021 Russian legislative election United Russia received only 29.44% in the Komi Republic – its third worst result nationally (United Russia still finished first ahead of 26.88% won by CPRF), which also led to United Russia regional group, personally led by Vladimir Uyba, failing to win any seat in the State Duma by party lists.^[10] Meanwhile, in the Syktyvkar constituency United Russia candidate Olga Savastianova, then-chairwoman of the Duma rules committee, was defeated by Communist Oleg Mikhaylov, receiving 26.8% to Mikhaylov's 32.4%.^[11]

Due to Uyba's permanent conflicts with local elites and citizens he was consistently considered one the most likely Russian governors to be replaced. Uyba was also attributed to poor management, lack of communication and positioning skills,^[12] as well as, personal conflict with Lukoil – the largest taxpayer in the republic.^[13] On November 5, 2024, Vladimir Uyba announced his resignation as head of the Komi Republic.^[14] Later that day President Putin approved Uyba's resignation and appointed him First Deputy Head of the Main Military Medical Directorate in the Ministry of Defense.^[15] Putin also appointed Governor of Jewish Autonomous Oblast Rostislav Goldstein as acting head of the Komi Republic.^[16] Goldstein previously lived in Komi for 17 years, served in the State Council of the Komi Republic and represented the region in the State Duma.

In Komi Republic candidates for head of the Komi Republic can be nominated by registered political parties or by self-nomination. Candidate for Head of the Komi Republic should be a Russian citizen and at least 30 years old. Candidates for head of the Komi Republic should not have a foreign citizenship or residence permit. Each candidate in order to be registered is required to collect at least 10% of signatures of members and heads of municipalities.^[17] In addition, self-nominated candidates should collect 1% of signatures of Komi residents. Also head candidates present 3 candidacies to the Federation Council and election winner later appoints one of the presented candidates.

• 2025 Russian regional elections