Vladimir Putin meets with the head of the Republic of Karachayevo-Cherkessia, Rashid Temrezov in January 2016. Photo: Kremlin.ru. Some rights reserved.In the autonomous republics of Russia’s North Caucasus, deputies in regional and district parliaments are purely decorative. Local politics are dominated by cronies and clansmen of the regions’ leaders, however contradictory of the constitution it might be.
Russia’s constitution states that local government organs are autonomous and independent of central government. In the North Caucasus, however, local authorities have long been absorbed into the power vertical. Municipalities are financially dependent on the republic governments, who in turn need loyal local leaders. They put forth appropriate candidates, often in the face of considerable opposition. As a result, election results, especially in populous areas, are mostly controlled by republic officials.
Compared to regional-level elections, local election campaigns are lively and eagerly followed
