The Russian federal government has decided to include environmental parameters in the list of criteria according to which the governors are rated, newspaper Kommersant reports. The new criteria will help heighten the focus on environmental policies in the regional administrations, the federal government argues.
The criteria system was established in 2007, three years after then President Vladimir Putin had abolished direct governor elections. It was meant to help measure the level of efficiency in regional governments, as well as function as a tool for federal control in regional affairs.
Originally, a system of 43 parameters was established. However, a number of new parameters were soon added, and the list is today believed to total more than 250.
The governors have to report to the federal government on all parameters and the level of success could potentially determine their future careers. The results are annually assessed by the government and the 20 best regions are awarded a financial bonus of 1-2 billion RUB.
