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.
Russia revives indirect regional elections
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