Members of the Yabloko faction of the Russian
parliament submitted to the
State Duma the draft law on the procedure for forming the Federation
Council. According to the Press Service of the Yabloko faction,
the draft
envisages the formation of the Federation Council on the basis
of universal,
equal and direct franchise.
The press release states: "To achieve direct election of
the upper chamber
of the Russian parliament is one of programme provisions of the
Russian
Democratic Party YABLOKO." In accordance with the draft law
candidates to
the Federation Council should be nominated by the head of the
regional
executive authority or the legislative (representative) authority
of the
federation subject on an alternative basis, including proposals
from
political parties. Yabloko is convinced that in its present form
the
Federation Council does not represent the interests of the regions.
We would also like to remind you that the present Speaker of
the supper
chamber of the Federal Assembly Sergei Mironov also advocated
the
election-based principle for forming the upper chamber. Last year
Mironov
developed the same kind of draft law. However, Mironov is convinced
that the
principle for forming the Federation Council should not be changed
earlier
than in two or three years.
See also:
YABLOKO:
Federation Council members should be elected
Press Release, June 28, 2002 |