Ilsur Metshin: "Only the history will be able to evaluate the role of Mintimer...
The news that the President of the Republic of Tatarstan has decided to leave his post certainly was the main event of a bygone week, said Mayor of Kazan on the traditional "Business Monday".
- For us it is an unexpected event. - said Ilsur Metshin. - To sum up my attitude to Mintimer Sharipovich it is great respect for what he had done to the republic. And it's so great that only history can truly appreciate it.
Also the Mayor of Kazan noted that the authority of Mintimer Sharipovich as a regional leader allowed to keep Russia in difficult times.
Recall that Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday, January 23, held a working meeting with Mintimer Shaimiev, who is the President of Tatarstan for over 18 years. Mintimer Sharipovich asked the President of Russia not to consider his candidacy for another term. Powers of the current President of the Republic of Tatarstan expire on 25 March this year.
- I hope that Mintimer Sharipovich will continue to provide support to all of us in some his new capacity, not for nothing that he said - "I'm going, but do not say good-bye!" - noted the Mayor of Kazan.