Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an overhaul of the upper house of Parliament in an apparent reaction to criticism that the Federation Council is little more than a vacation retreat for officials.
Putin said in an address to the Council today that the reforms should make it "more democratic." Members are currently elected by local legislatures. Putin`s bill, which is expected to get parliamentary approval, would allow elected regional governors to appoint a member of their team to the Council. The reform would make elected governors accountable for the members they appoint.
Putin said prospective members of the Council, widely seen as a rubber stamp for the Kremlin, should be members of their local legislatures and residents of the regions they represent for at least five years. PTI