Putin's justifications were that rich and powerful men were successfully manipulating elections and that measures were taken to prevent it. Also that those measure were in compliance with democracy.
My take is that a country needs to pas laws to contain this particular problem, not limit speech or use appointments rather than elections for regional governors.
At one time, we appointed Senators. But governors have always been elected.
He could also break up some of these provinces into smaller pieces.
Lots of other options available. Get the Duma to do something, and quit grabbing more and more power Mr.Putin.
The Duma did do something, it passed the proposed bill. Further, those governors must pass muster from the Oblast assembly, which is more then required in Italy or France. Where is the criticism of the dictator Berlusconi?
bump