Vladimir Putin favours development of local self-administration in Russia

President Vladimir Putin expressed himself in favour of the development of local self-administration in Russia. Speaking at a Kremlin press conference on Monday, President Putin declared that it would be a gross mistake to eliminate local self-administration in the country.

"The problem is how to organize local self-administration, and what powers and financial possibilities to vest it with," noted the head of state.

President Putin said that he was requested by president Mintimer Shaimiyev of Tatarstan that a working group for the development of local self-administration be set up under the head of state. Putin supported the idea and stressed that it would be necessary to find "the optimal solution," on the issue of the competence of the municipal bodies of power.

The President also expressed himself in favour of the heads of members of the Russian Federation being elected. "We cannot deprive the country's citizens of the chance to elect the leaders of the regions,"said the Russian leader.