This Monday (27) a public opinion poll began in the Russian city of Volgograd to rename the city to Stalingrad, as it was in the Soviet Union period. Based on the results of the poll, a decision will be taken to hold a referendum that may decide to return the Soviet period name.
“Volgograd is starting a vote to hold a referendum on renaming the city to Stalingrad. Based on the results of the polls, a decision will be taken next week on holding a referendum,” said the co-chairman of the public study council of the population’s opinion about the return of the historical name of the city, Alexander Strukov.
The first meeting of officials, social activists and deputies with members of civil society from the city of Volgograd was also held to explain the arguments to justify the initiative to rename the city Stalingrad.
During the meeting, the chairman of the regional council of veterans, Alexander Bloshkin, pointed out that the initiative began to be discussed more actively during the preparations for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Stalingrad in February this year.
Earlier, when commenting on the topic, the Kremlin stated that it is necessary to weigh all the pros and cons of the proposal to rename the city. The government of Vladimir Putin pointed out that there are no discussions on this issue in the presidential administration.
It is not the first time that the discussion of renaming Volgograd to Stalingrad has been raised. Traditionally, on the 2nd of February, when the anniversary of the Soviet victory in the Battle of Stalinigrad during World War II is celebrated, the city is symbolically renamed during this day for the celebrations.
In 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the decision to rename should be taken by local residents through a referendum.
Editing: Thales Schmidt
