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Putin's plan to rein in Russia's regions debated in parliament |
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June 1, 2000
"We need a strong, effective state, and the presidential bills are aimed at that," said Boris Gryzlov, head of the pro-government Unity group in the State Duma.
The three bills proposed by Putin are aimed at establishing control over provinces that have acquired broad autonomy since the Soviet collapse. Putin, who was elected president in March, has said stronger federal controls are essential for fixing the ailing economy and averting the breakup of Russia.
The first bill would change the membership of the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, from regional governors and heads of regional legislatures to appointed, full-time legislators. The Duma passed it Wednesday in the first reading by a 362-34 vote.
The other two bills would allow Putin to dismiss elected governors and dissolve local legislatures whose policies are determined by courts to violate federal law. Putin's plan has been welcomed by many as a sensible effort to end the chaos and lawlessness that have hampered Russia's economic revival. However, some liberal critics warn that giving the Kremlin the power to dismiss elected governors may lead to authoritarian rule.
Deputies across the political spectrum spoke in support of the bills during Wednesday's debate. The Communist Party voiced some reservations, saying that Putin's move would weaken the Federation Council. Controversial business tycoon Boris Berezovsky was the only Duma member who spoke strongly against the plan.
Berezovsky argued that the move would give the president too much power, undermine fledgling democracy and eventually ruin Russia.
"There is no doubt about the need to strengthen the government, but the president's efforts would lead to a global catastrophe," Berezovsky said.
The measures must pass three readings before they go to the upper house. Despite the bills' restrictions, most of the nation's 89 regional governors have thrown their support behind the plan and only few have dared to openly criticize it.
Analysts say some governors are trying to trade their support for Kremlin concessions, while others are working quietly behind the scenes to organize resistance.
With pro-Kremlin parties dominating the Duma, the bills have good prospects for approval. Even if the upper house rejects the bills, the Duma can override that with a two-thirds majority.
Putin has already divided Russia into seven administrative zones, each of which will be supervised by a presidential representative.The system replaces an arrangement under which the Kremlin had a representative in each of the 89 regions, which the Putin administration says was cumbersome and ineffective.
Five of the seven representatives are generals with the army, police or intelligence services - underlining Putin's promises to restore law and order. In addition, the seven zones coincide with the command structure of Russia's army and Interior Ministry troops.
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