From 1995 to 2004, governors in Russia were elected by residents of the Russian Federation. Since 2004, by decree of the then President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, governors have been appointed by the legislative (representative) bodies of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation at the proposal of the president.
Procedure for appointing governors
Candidates are proposed to the President of the Russian Federation by political parties that won the regional elections, which is enshrined in Federal Law No. 41 of April 5, 2009, and the procedure was approved by Decree No. 441 of the President of the Russian Federation of April 23, 2009.
Permanent collegial body of the party 90 days before the expiration of the powers of the head of a particular region of the Russian Federation puts forward for consideration by the president 3 options for candidates for the post of head of the subject. Prior to the introduction, the president and the subject's authorized representative of the party discuss the nominations.
If none of the options proposed by the party is supported by the president, then in accordance with the decree, the head of state initiates consultations with the party and the regionallegislature, after which 3 more candidates are submitted for consideration. Consultations may continue until agreement is reached on nominations.
In accordance with the decree on the appointment of the governor No. 441, the president of the Russian Federation chooses the head of the region if the party has not proposed a candidate for the post of head of the subject of the Russian Federation. The choice is made from a list of candidates nominated by the authorized representative of the Federal District of a particular subject.
According to the rules, if the governor is dismissed ahead of schedule, the successor with the prefix "acting" is appointed personally by the President of Russia. These replacements usually receive strong support from the president and the central government.
Trend 2017
In 2017, there was a trend to replace governors across Russian regions. About 20 governors lost their seats for one reason or another, and new heads of regions, who are called young technocrats, were appointed to their positions. Although the word "young" is far from suitable for everyone: Alexander Uss, head of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, is 63 years old.
This is a clear trend towards renewal of the regional elites by the Kremlin. The media even voiced new methods for selecting candidates: with the help of tests, new criteria for success, and even jumping from a significant height into the water. In addition to the renewal trend, another trend was also evident: the rotation of plenipotentiaries fordistricts.
Trends for 2018
According to political scientists, in 2018 there will be several more reshuffles, appointments and dismissals. The new idea for a presidential term after March 18, 2018 is to renew the gubernatorial positions (about 80 percent by 2020).
Also in 2018, elections will be held in 16 regions, nine of whose representatives are interim (acting). Elections are scheduled for September. And there is a possibility that in April-May there may still be resignations of 1-2 representatives of the regions in order to prepare for the election of new interims.
The Kremlin's goal is not only to change governors - "old" to "new", but also to accelerate socio-economic growth through better governance at the regional level based on modern, competent and efficient financial management. This is especially true in times of Western sanctions and general economic instability.
Forecasts for 2018 - new appointments of governors and new resignations
Among the likely candidates for resignation during the spring-summer period are the governors, whose departure was predicted in the fall of 2017 (the leaders of the Altai Territory, the Murmansk Region and St. 2.0 , developed by the Minchenko communications holding.
The leaders are also at risk: Svetlana Orlova of the Vladimir region, Oleg of the Lipetsk regionKorolev, Alexander Berdnikov of the Altai Republic, Boris Dubrovsky of the Chelyabinsk Region, Alexei Orlov of Kalmykia, and Veniamin Kondratyev of the Krasnodar Territory (8 points and below in the State Council 2.0 rating - a risk zone; all of the above leaders have points of 8 and below). In 2017, out of 16 governors at risk, 9 were replaced.
Also, based on the rating, it was concluded that the leaders of the regions, who went through the elections of governors at the regional level by popular vote, did not demonstrate not only any significant growth, but also stability.
The month of close attention is over, and the federal government has become preoccupied with its problems and tasks, attention has shifted to other regions, and the newly appointed governors are left alone with their problems. Free flight without the support of the central government turned out to be a test for many, and, apparently, not all of this test will pass. So, the leaders of the Kirov region Igor Vasiliev and Udmurtia Alexander Brechalov are approaching the risk zone.
What's next?
Much will depend on the results of those "young technocrats" who were appointed in September 2017. If their results are recognized as positive, the further procedure for appointing governors and, in general, personnel policy will depend on this. Their positive results will show that the method of preparing new and modern politicians and sending them to the regions works and, most likely, will continue to be practiced. If the results arenegative, the Kremlin will have to work out and test a new model for training and appointing regional leaders.
In general, it should be noted that the practice of appointing governors by the president has more advantages than disadvantages. The authorities thus have a more effective participation in the management of the regions and can achieve great results in the foreseeable future.
