MOSCOW, December 20 (RIA Novosti) – Mayors of Russian cities should be elected, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday, following recent media speculation that direct mayoral elections could be abolished.
“Mayors certainly should be only elected… The municipal level is the closest level of power to people,” Putin told journalists at his annual televised press conference.
“Municipal heads should be people who citizens know personally, can come to them, talk and discuss things with them, tell them their position on development of a village or a town,” Putin said.
“I want the municipal level of power to become a talent foundry,” the Russian leader said.
Reports emerged ahead of Putin’s address to the Federal Assembly last week that municipal reform could be introduced in Russia in which mayors would be elected not by city residents, but appointed by the heads of regions.
Putin said an open discussion on the issue was needed.
