ABSTRACT
Perhaps the most significant change made by Vladimir Putin to the Russian political system was his decision in September 2004 to end the popular election of regional executives. The consequences of this decision are potentially far-reaching and represent nothing less than the dismantling of what little remained of Russian federalism and democracy. Putin announced his decision in the immediate aftermath of the Beslan
school tragedy, in which over 300 hostages lost their lives. On 13 September 2004 Putin spoke before the Russian government and leaders of the regions and argued that terrorists sought to bring about the collapse of Russia and its government. Citing article 77 of the 1993 Constitution, Putin called for the creation of a ‘unified system of authority’, which should function as a single, integral hierarchy. This new ‘executive vertical’ would require replacing popular elections with a process that would involve both national and regional organs in the selection of regional executives. Putin proposed that this should be achieved through the election of governors by regional assemblies, with the candidate or candidates to be nominated by the Russian president.1
