MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has submitted a draft law aimed at restoring the direct elections of governors, but preserving a Kremlin role in the vote.
Medvedev’s predecessor, Vladimir Putin, scrapped gubernatorial elections in 2004 and started appointing them directly.
The bill is part of reforms Medvedev promised after massive protests that followed the fraud-tainted parliamentary elections in December.
The new legislation submitted Monday to the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, reinstates the direct vote allowing political parties or individuals to run for elections.
However, it mentions "presidential consultations" that allow the Kremlin to approve an elected candidate and dismiss one for "losing trust" due to corruption or other violations.
