Yes. Actually the change gives more power to the legislative branches in each oblast.
It is long overdue in Russia, although some are unhappy about it.
You don't understand the depths of corruption there. I expect this to be a transitory move, one that is a response to the corruption which enabled chechen and other scum to brutally rape and kill North Ossetian Orthodox Christians.
Yes, some people would find it hard to watch their hard won freedom slipping away into the hands of a dictator.
"You don't understand the depths of corruption there."
LOL! As opposed to the corruption that permeated the entire ranks of the Soviet Union and goes to the top of the current government?