Election reforms of 2014 weakened mayors’ political influence
At present, only 9 states in Russia directly elect their leaders, meaning that most mayors are agents of the federal government in a vertical power relationship.
Voting is the sole source of legitimacy behind all state power and is a concrete manifestation of basic human rights. The federal government controls local areas through indirect elections, but self-government is needed, with governors elected by the people and serving for a term of five years then barred from running for six years after that. In addition, elections should be free, and the use of money and resources to influence the process of elections must be strictly prohibited. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.