PoliticianGovernorSenatorVolga German

Eduard Rossel

Eduard Rossel (born 1937) is a Russian politician, former Governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast, known for advocating regional autonomy and the 'Ural Republic'.

1. Early Life

Eduard Rossel's early life was marked by his Volga German heritage and the profound impact of the Stalinist purges, which shaped his formative years and linguistic environment. His academic journey led him to achieve advanced degrees in technical and economic fields, laying a foundation for his later career in both industry and politics.

1.1. Birth and Childhood

Eduard Ergartovich Rossel was born on October 8, 1937, in Bor, Gorky Oblast (now Nizhny Novgorod Oblast), in the Russian SFSR of the Soviet Union. He was of Volga German heritage. His early life was significantly impacted by the Stalinist purges; both his father and grandfather were executed in 1937 on false charges, and his mother was also arrested. Although his original language was German, he began to primarily speak Russian at home after his mother married a Ukrainian man, leading to a shift in his primary linguistic environment.

1.2. Education

Rossel graduated from the Ural State Mining University in 1962. He continued his academic pursuits, undertaking postgraduate studies at the Ural State Technical University. He holds a PhD in Technical Sciences and a doctoral degree in Economics, and is an academician of both the Russian Academy of Engineering and the International Academy of Regional Cooperation and Development.

2. Early Career

Prior to his political career, Eduard Rossel dedicated himself to the construction sector, rising through various management roles within major industrial enterprises in the Ural region. His professional philosophy was to never skip a promotion, a principle that guided his ascent in the industry.

After graduating from university, he began his career working at various construction sites in the Ural region. From 1963 to 1975, he was employed by the Tagilstroy Trust, where he held positions such as site supervisor, production manager, and chief engineer, operating under the control of Alexei Kosygin. In 1974, he met Boris Yeltsin at the Blooming-1500 metallurgy factory. By 1975, Rossel had become the head of the Tagilchaststroy construction combine, and in 1983, he took charge of the Glavsreduralstroy construction combine. In 1978, he declined an offer from Boris Yeltsin to become the mayor of Nizhny Tagil. A few days after a mayoral election, Rossel was visited by Alexander Avdonin, a geologist and local historian known for discovering the burial site of the Romanov family.

3. Political Career

Eduard Rossel's political career saw him navigate various levels of Russian governance, from local administration in Sverdlovsk Oblast to federal representation in the parliament, demonstrating his evolving political affiliations and consistent drive for regional influence.

3.1. Rise in Sverdlovsk Oblast Politics

Rossel began his political career in 1990 when he was elected as a People's Deputy to the Sverdlovsk Oblast Soviet, subsequently becoming the chairman of its Executive Committee. From January to October 1991, he served as the chairman of the Sverdlovsk Oblast Soviet. During the August 1991 Soviet coup attempt, he notably sided with Boris Yeltsin. In November 1991, in recognition of his support and contributions, he was appointed as the Head of the Sverdlovsk Oblast Administration, a position he held until November 10, 1993. Following this, he served as the Chairman of the Sverdlovsk Oblast Duma from April 29, 1994, to August 25, 1995.

3.2. Governorship of Sverdlovsk Oblast

Eduard Rossel's most prominent role was as the Governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast, serving an extensive tenure from 1995 to 2009. He won the gubernatorial runoff election in August 1995 and was re-elected in 1999, ultimately serving for 18 years until November 23, 2009. His relationship with Boris Yeltsin, while initially supportive during Yeltsin's rise to power, became strained for a period due to Rossel's insistent demand for Sverdlovsk Oblast to achieve a status equal to that of Russia's republics. Despite this, Rossel eventually regained Yeltsin's favor, leading to the successful passage of a special bilateral agreement between Moscow and Sverdlovsk in January 1996, a significant achievement for regional autonomy. Although he had initially adopted an anti-Yeltsin stance for a considerable time, his political alignment shifted after his electoral bloc's defeat in the 1995 State Duma elections, leading him to declare support for Yeltsin in the 1996 presidential election. Rossel ultimately left the gubernatorial post in 2009, citing his own assessment of failed competency.

3.3. "Ural Republic" Initiative

A pivotal moment in Rossel's early political career was his proposal for an "Ural Republic" (Уральская республикаRussian) in July 1993. This initiative aimed to elevate Sverdlovsk Oblast to a status equivalent to that of Russia's republics, reflecting his strong advocacy for regional autonomy. A referendum on the proposal was conducted, which garnered approximately 80% support from the local populace. However, this move led to his immediate dismissal as Head of the Administration by Boris Yeltsin on November 10, 1993. Despite this setback, on the very same day, Rossel assumed the role of President of the Ural Regional Economic Cooperation Union.

3.4. Federation Council Membership

Following his governorship, Eduard Rossel served as a member of the Federation Council, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, representing Sverdlovsk Oblast. He was elected as a Federation Council deputy in the December 1993 federal parliamentary election. His term as Senator officially began on December 16, 2009, and concluded on September 20, 2022. He succeeded Aleksandr Shkolnik and was succeeded by Viktor Sheptiy. Throughout his tenure, he remained an active participant in the Federation Council.

3.5. Political Affiliations

Eduard Rossel's political affiliations evolved throughout his career. From 1966 to 1991, he was a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). In 1993, he co-founded the regional party "Transformation of Ural" (also referred to as the electoral bloc "Transformation of the Fatherland" in the 1995 State Duma elections), remaining with this party until 2004. From 2004 onwards, he became a member of the dominant United Russia party.

4. Major Activities and Contributions

Throughout his public service, Eduard Rossel undertook significant actions and initiatives, contributing to both regional socio-economic development through his publications and specific infrastructure projects.

4.1. Socio-economic Development and Publications

Eduard Rossel made significant contributions to regional socio-economic development, notably through his publications. In 2005, he authored a book titled A Regional Perspective on the Current and Future Socio-Economic Developments in the Russian Federation. This book, published in an English edition by Anthony Rowe Publishing Services on behalf of Intourist Ltd., provided a detailed microeconomic analysis of the challenges, opportunities, and performance of the economy and government at a regional level within Russia. Rossel emphasized the crucial importance of Russia's natural resources in the economic prosperity of its regions. The book also offered insights into the political structure of the Federation during a period when regional governance was becoming increasingly centralized. A reception for the launch of his book was held at the Russian Embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens, London, on April 13, 2005, where Rossel was a guest and speaker.

4.2. Regional Development Projects

Rossel was actively involved in various regional development initiatives. In 2018, he participated in a meeting concerning the potential transformation of Belaya Gora into a tourist resort. The discussion included Vice Governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast Aleksey Orlov, Finance Minister Victoria Kazakova, the director of the "Belaya Gora" trust company, and the head of the administration of Nizhniy Tagil, Vladislav Pinaev. The plan proposed the creation of a ski resort with assistance from the Canadian company Ecosign.

5. Political Stances and Ideology

Eduard Rossel's core political beliefs centered on strengthening regional power and identity within the Russian Federation, a stance that often led to direct engagement with federal authorities.

5.1. Advocacy for Regional Autonomy

Eduard Rossel consistently advocated for greater autonomy and a stronger regional identity for Sverdlovsk Oblast within the Russian Federation. His political ideology was deeply rooted in the belief that regions should have more power and a status comparable to that of Russia's republics. This stance led to notable conflicts with federal authorities, particularly with Boris Yeltsin, as seen in his demand for equal status for Sverdlovsk Oblast. His most direct expression of this advocacy was the "Ural Republic" initiative in July 1993, which, despite garnering significant local support through a referendum, resulted in his temporary dismissal from office. Nevertheless, his persistence ultimately led to the successful negotiation of a special bilateral agreement between Moscow and Sverdlovsk in January 1996, which granted the region a degree of enhanced self-governance. This highlights his enduring commitment to decentralization and strengthening regional self-determination.

6. Personal Life

This section provides insights into Eduard Rossel's private life and family relationships.

6.1. Family

Signature of Eduard Rossel
Signature of Eduard Rossel

Eduard Rossel has a daughter who resides in Düsseldorf, Germany.

7. Later Career and Sanctions

In the later stages of his career, Eduard Rossel faced international repercussions. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he was added to the sanctions list of the British government. In July 2022, it was reported that he would lose his position as a senator in the Federation Council.

8. Awards and Honors

Eduard Rossel has received numerous awards and honors throughout his distinguished career, recognizing his contributions to statehood, socio-economic development, and inter-regional cooperation.

  • Order of Merit for the Fatherland:
    • 1st class (November 16, 2009) - for outstanding contribution to strengthening Russian statehood, socio-economic development of the field, and many years of fruitful activity.
    • 2nd class (April 5, 2004) - for his great personal contribution to the development of Russian statehood and economic and social transformation of the region.
    • 3rd class (April 24, 2000) - for outstanding contribution to strengthening Russian statehood and the consistent implementation of economic reforms.
    • 4th class (July 20, 1996) - for services to the state and many years of diligent work.
  • Order of Honour (October 9, 2007) - for outstanding contribution to the socio-economic development of the field and many years of fruitful activity.
  • Order of the Badge of Honour, twice:
    • April 1975 - for achievements in the construction of the first stage of the rolling wide-flange beams shop, Blooming "1500" Nizhny Tagil Metallurgical Plant named after V.I. Lenin.
    • May 1980 - for the successful completion of the reconstruction of the oxygen-converter shop of Nizhny Tagil Metallurgical Plant named after V.I. Lenin.
  • Medal "For Valiant Labor. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin" (November 1969).
  • Diploma of the President of the Russian Federation (December 12, 2008) - for active participation in the drafting of the Constitution and a great contribution to the democratic foundations of the Russian Federation.
  • Order of Friendship of Peoples (Belarus, October 8, 2007) - for his great personal contribution to strengthening and developing economic, scientific, technological, and cultural ties between Belarus and Sverdlovsk Oblast of the Russian Federation.
  • Order "Dostyk" (Kazakhstan, 2008).
  • Medal "Dank" (Kyrgyzstan, May 27, 1999) - for his significant contribution to strengthening friendship, economic, and cultural cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation at the regional level.
  • Order "For Services to the State of Baden-Württemberg" (Baden-Württemberg, Germany, 2008) - for outstanding contribution to international inter-regional cooperation.
  • Russian Orthodox Church awards:
    • Order of Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, 1st class (2003) and 2nd class (1997).
    • Order of St. Sergius, 1st class (2000).
    • Order of Saint Blessed Prince Dimitry (2002).
    • Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, 2nd class (2009).
  • Honorary citizen of Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Tagil, and the Sverdlovsk region (Decree of the Governor of Sverdlovsk region № 883-HS, October 7, 2010).
  • Honoured Builder of the RSFSR (1983).

9. Legacy and Impact

Eduard Rossel's long and impactful career significantly influenced the evolution of regional governance and federal relations in post-Soviet Russia.

9.1. Influence on Russian Regional Politics

Eduard Rossel's long and impactful career significantly influenced the evolution of regional governance and federal relations in post-Soviet Russia. His consistent and strong advocacy for greater regional autonomy, exemplified by the ambitious "Ural Republic" initiative and the successful negotiation of a bilateral agreement with Moscow, challenged the centralized power structure and pushed for a more decentralized model of governance. His 18-year tenure as Governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast demonstrated the potential for strong regional leadership to drive socio-economic development and assert regional identity. Rossel's actions and political stances fostered a discourse on regional self-determination, leaving a lasting mark on the debate surrounding the balance of power between the federal center and Russia's diverse regions. His efforts contributed to shaping the understanding of regional self-governance and its role within the broader Russian political landscape.