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As economy falters, Russian governors are threatened with job loss
Jun 10, 2009, 14:41 GMT
Moscow - Russia's governors could soon face unemployment for failing to stem rising joblessness in Russia's provinces, warned Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Wednesday.
Facing growing restlessness over the country's weakening economic situation, Medvedev's move is aimed at holding underperforming governors more accountable.
'Either they will take care of these issues, or I will decide about removing them from their office, irrespective of their salaries,' said Medvedev, according to the Interfax news agency.
In light of the worst economic crisis to hit Russia in a decade, the Kremlin is worried about growing unrest among the populace. At the same time, the Kremlin has limited the governors' freedoms to manage their regions.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin last week called on local officials and businessmen to reopen a factory and start paying salaries after protests in the town of Pikalevo, near St Petersburg.
Such moves have drawn criticism about the federal government seeking to centralize control of Russia's economy, as was the practice during the Soviet Union era.
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