Russian town wants to change its name to 'Putin' in hope of fixing water problems

A Russian town wants to change its name to "Putin", according to petition signed by residents who want the government to sort out local problems getting clean running water.

The town of Krasnokamsk in the Perm region petitioned to change its name in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who it says "has done a lot for the country and for the town in particular."

But the Kremlin opposes the plans, claiming that it would raise "false hopes" among the residents.

In the petition posted on Russian community site Roi.ru, residents arguing that it would encourage the government address urgent problems, such as the lack of clean running water.

The hopeful town posted slogans that said: "Give Putin clean running water".

However in an interview with local media Putin's spokesman Dmitri Peskov said that changing the town's name was not an effective way to bring about change, reports the Moscow Times.

He said that changing the town's names to "Putin" would raise false expectations, and attempts should be focused on reviving the town's fortunes regardless of its name.

Krasnokamsk, which is situated on the river Kama River, 35 miles from the city of Perm, has a population of about 52,675, according to a recent census, and residents claim "clean water, roads, parks, kindergartens, infrastructure and other pressing problems" are in need of urgent attention from authorities.

Putin last visited the city in 2012, and promised to attend the coming opening of a new ice hockey stadium.

However the stadium's construction was delayed, and the president was absent at the opening, with local media blaming inept local officials for "disrupting" his plans.

The town's major, Mayor Yury Chechyotkin, agreed that the town should not be renamed, and said that Putin may be a name better suited to a new town.

"My attitude toward the president is alright, but my attitude toward the historical name of the town is even more alright," the mayor was quoted as saying by V Kurse.

"The decision of what to name the town was made collectively, and we should preserve it."

The petition needs to gather 3,541 votes before April 11 to be considered by the town's municipal authorities.