MOSCOW, October 10 (RIA Novosti) - A senior member of the Russian parliament said Monday that President Vladimir Putin's bill entitling parties with the highest number of votes in provincial legislative elections to nominate gubernatorial candidates could get through the lower house before year's end.
Viktor Grishin, chair of the Duma Committee for Regional Policies, said the draft had been distributed among provincial legislatures so that they could study it and comment before the Duma considers it for the first time November 1. Two follow-up readings will likely take place in early December, he said.
The bill seeks to give regional legislators more say in selecting their governors. Under the current system, lawmakers may only approve or reject a candidate nominated by the president.
Grishin praised the bill, but said it was not clear on how regional parties would submit their nominations for approval - either by sending them directly to the president or submitting them to a local envoy.
