Direct gubernatorial elections may be cancelled in Russia over sanctions, special operation - sources
MOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) - Direct governmental elections may be postponed or even cancelled in Russia, a number of informed sources told Interfax.
"An official discussion of the need to cancel, in any case, temporarily, at least direct gubernatorial elections" may begin in the near future, the Vedomosti newspaper said earlier. According to the Kommersant newspaper, the Vladimir region might be the first constituent territory where amendments on the replacement of direct gubernatorial elections with the elections of governors in the parliament will be proposed for discussion this year.
"Indeed, the cancellation or postponement of direct gubernatorial elections is being actively discussed in the high places," a federal official told Interfax. "There is a non-standard situation in the country caused by the special operation and the harsh sanctions. It would be unreasonable to spend funds and resources on the election campaign, which is about to begin," he said.
As a source in the parliament told Interfax, "The initial proposal was to cancel direct elections in eastern and southern regions, primarily those along the border. However, the new rule may apply to all constituent territories of the federation for the sake of their equality."
"President Vladimir Putin will be asked a question about the future of gubernatorial elections at a meeting of the Council of Legislators in St. Petersburg on Wednesday," sources told Vedomosti.
For now, direct gubernatorial elections are due to take place on Unified Voting Day in September 2022 in 14 constituent territories, namely, the Vladimir, Tambov, Yaroslavl, Kaliningrad, Kirov, Novgorod, Ryazan, Saratov, Sverdlovsk and Tomsk regions, and the republics of Buryatia, Karelia, Mari El and Udmurtia.
Russia had indirect gubernatorial elections in 2005-2011. The procedure is currently in effect in five republics of the North Caucasus, three autonomous districts, and Crimea.