The State Duma in a third reading last week adopted the bill, which gives the political parties a far bigger level of control over local politics. According to the new law, only parties will be eligible to candidate in local election. The law also gives public organizations and movements a 15 percent quota in the party election list, RIA Novosti writes. The consequence will a considerable streamlining of local politics. Until now independent candidates have been able to challenge the established parties in elections on town mayors and city councils.
