The mayoral election in Sochi on April 26 marks a serious turning point in Russian politics. This contest is already proving to be more public, more intense and more competitive than the perfunctory, lackluster regional and municipal elections held nationwide on March 1.
Sochi is a key site on the Russian political landscape. Not only is it the host city for the 2014 Winter Olympics, but it also essentially serves as the summer capital city for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Both Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev have focused many of their personal projects on Sochi, and they frequently hold meetings and negotiations in Sochi. What's more, Sochi is the site of the Kuban Economic Forum, second in status only to the St. Petersburg forum.
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