MOSCOW (AFP) - The Russian State Duma approved President Vladimir Putin's plan to replace direct popular election of regional leaders with a system under which they would be nominated by the president.
The measure was approved after two hours of debate in a vote of 365 in favor, 64 opposed and four abstentions.
Under the change, regional legislatures would be asked to approve one or more candidates nominated by the Kremlin. The president would have the power to dissolve those assemblies if they twice rejected his choices.
Though approved on first reading Friday, the measure will continue to be debated in the Duma which must endorse it a second and then a third time before final approval, and it may be amended in the process.
10/29/2004 - 15:10 GMT - AFP