Russia revives indirect regional elections

The State Duma voted on Friday in support of a bill allowing the regions to decide whether regional leaders should be elected by popular vote or by local legislatures.

The law that re-established direct regional elections (abolished at the beginning of Putin's presidency) came into force on July 1st. The law was initiated after a series of protest actions. However, conservative forces tried to limit the effect of the bill that was approved today in the third hearing.

The Russian extra-parliamentary opposition criticizes the bill vehemently, saying it violates the constitutional freedoms of the people.