“The task of presidential envoys in the regions is the implementation of these laws. It is necessary to create conditions for that across the country, taking into account local peculiarities. At the same time, we have to assure uniformity in enforcing the legislation,” Medvedev noted during a meeting with heads of the regions on Wednesday, RT reports.
The bill was submitted to parliament by President Medvedev in January and has already passed the first reading in the State Duma. According to the bill political parties will nominate candidates for regional governors. The parties will then have what is called “consultations” with the president. The president will choose who, in his opinion, is the preferable candidate. The parties will not have to follow the advice from the president and are free to nominate their own candidate.
Independent candidates that want to run for the governor’s office without being linked to a political party can do so, but need to collect a certain numbers of signatures. It is for the regional Duma to specify the numbers of signatures needed. “This proposal takes into account the interests of the people and also raises the political responsibility of candidates,” Medvedev believes.
Another idea is the establishment of the single day for the election of governors all across Russia. “There are many arguments for this – successful world practice, budget saving, climate conditions,” the president observed. “And in general, the country should not live in the conditions of permanent campaigning.”
