Russian lawmakers to abandon direct gubernatorial elctions

Russian lawmakers from the United Russia and Liberal Democratic parties suggested that direct gubernatorial elections should be abandoned. According to the proposed bill, governors of the Russian regions can be either elected by popular vote or by local legislatures.

Direct gubernatorial elections were restored in Russia after a series of protests that started in December 2011.

The lawmakers who proposed the new bill believe that indirect elections will secure stable economic development and interethnic peace in Russian regions.