The Russian Economy in October 2012: Preliminary Data and Major Trends

Abstract

In October, for the first time after an eight-year ‘break’, gubernatorial elections were held in Russia. The revival of gubernatorial elections by no means implies a revival of competition at the regional level – existing legislation ensures that this should not be allowed. At the same time, the new electoral pattern, while still granting to the Kremlin broad opportunities for interfering with the process of elections, also provides the regional elites with some significant means for their consolidation. At the first election that took place of 15 October, all the incumbent governors running for reelection (of Belgorod, Briansk, Ryazan, Amur and Novgorod oblasts) were soundly reelected, and this process was under the Kremlin’s control. However, later on this pattern will bring about a significant change in the balance of forces between the federal center and the regions, especially if the current downward trend in the level of the population’s support for the federal authority continues.

Keywords: Russian economy

JEL Classification: P20, P21