| "President Putin's initiative to abolish direct elections
of the heads of the regions is anti-constitutional and could have dangerous
consequences. This initiative demonstrates that the President does not
have a clear notion as to how to combat terrorism. Instead of installing
order in the defence, interior and security that are completely subordinate
to the Centre, he is eliminating the last controls over these ministries.
The initiative of the President is insulting for the citizens of Russia
who are deprived of the right to elect authorities. This can also lead
to the growth of ethnic tension in the national republics.
Liquidation of elections in the Russian Federation subjects represents
a blow to the fundamentals of Russian federalism and a return to an extremely
inefficient unitarian power system which does not maintain feed back with
society. It liquidates the last chain in the system of checks and counterbalances
that prevent power from being concentrated in the hands of one individual.
The YABLOKO party will oppose anti-constitutional decisions using all
available lawful ways and means."
The Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO has already forwarded an application
to the Prefect's Office of the Central Administrative District of Moscow
on conducting jointly with human rights organisations and political parties
a meeting against President Putin's anti-constitutional initiatives.
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