"True, it is, to an extent, a retreat from direct democracy to elect regional executives. I hope, it will be a temporary retreat. If it depended on me, I should put it down in the law that the arrangement is introduced for ten years to provide favourable conditions for a direct democratic gubernatorial ballot-what we term 'retreat to regroup forces'," he said in an interview with the Nezavisimaya Gazeta, influential Moscow-based daily.
The reform is a forced measure, remarked Mr. Veshnyakov. "Terrorists unleashed a war. It has grown into such a big threat to this country that it needs not merely to bolster up law enforcement but to make systemic decisions on forming its administration."
The offered election pattern has a major weak point-"it does not rule out graft making progress". As the interviewee sees it, "the bill ought to envisage anti-corruption steps. We intend a proposal to the legislators: a gubernatorial candidate must declare his and his wife's incomes and property. Quite logically, a governor ought to make such declarations an annual arrangement once he is appointed to the post."
More than that, "gubernatorial nominees ought to announce their citizenship of other countries, if they have it, and criminal records-even if these are remitted or cancelled."
Alexander Veshnyakov also deems it necessary to limit regional governorship to two terms running, as the acting legislation has it. "No more than two terms running, says the law. That's one of our anti-corruption measures. Why not keep it going?"
