Russia's Putin orders reform of Parliament

[June 27, 2012]  MOSCOW (AP) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an overhaul of the upper house of Parliament in an apparent reaction to criticism that the Federation Council is little more than a vacation retreat for officials.

Putin said in an address to the Council on Wednesday that the reforms should make it "more democratic."

Members are currently elected by local legislatures. Putin's bill, which is expected to get parliamentary approval, would allow elected regional governors to appoint a member of their team to the Council. The reform would make elected governors accountable for the members they appoint.

Putin said prospective members of the Council, widely seen as a rubber stamp for the Kremlin, should be members of their local legislatures and residents of the regions they represent for at least five years.

[Associated Press]

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