Russian President Vladimir Putin announced initiatives Monday that would further strengthen Kremlin control over the nation's political life. He said the Kremlin should name regional governors, who would then be confirmed by local legislatures instead of being elected by a popular vote. He also recommended changing the system of electing the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, to a purely proportional system. That would eliminate the individual races that currently fill half the chamber's seats, and would further increase the clout of the pro-Kremlin faction and its allies that already enjoy an overwhelming majority.
