Presidential envoy to North Caucasus hails local elections

Presidential Envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District Alexander Khloponin says he supports President Medvedev's initiative to elect governors of Russian regions, Yuga.ru reports.

Nowadays governors and other local officials are not elected in Russia, after Vladimir Putin's United Russia party, which has been controlling the parliament since early 2000s, abolished the local elections.

The presidential initiative was a response to protests that have been taking place in many Russian cities, as citizens believe that the December parliamentary elections were unfair.

The next massive rally is scheduled for December 24th and will be attended by former president of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev. About 40,000 people submitted on Facebook that they will take part in the event. The previous rally was held in Moscow on December 10th and was attended by almost 100,000 people.