Anatolij Sobčak

Anatolij Sobčak was a prominent Russian politician and lawyer, best known as the first democratically elected mayor of Saint Petersburg, serving from 1991 to 1996. A key figure in the Russian political landscape during the transition from Soviet rule, Sobchak was a mentor to Vladimir Putin and played a significant role in the early post-Soviet reforms. His tenure was marked by efforts to promote democratic governance and economic liberalization, although he faced challenges from both political rivals and economic instability.