Moscow protesters demand to hold referendum in KChR

Participants of action in Moscow and solo pickets in Cherkessk have voiced the demand to hold a referendum in order to return the direct election of the leader of the Karachay-Cherkessian Republic (KchR). According to the organizers of the protest action, it was attended by 100 people, while officials deny the figure.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the term in office of Rashid Temrezov expires in March 2016. The experts questioned by the "Caucasian Knot" have noted that in anticipation of the end of the Rashid Temrezov's term, political and public life in the republic becomes more active.

In their petition sent on January 29 to the Central Election Commission of the KChR, members of the "Communists of Russia" Party have stated that the cancellation of the direct election of the leader of the KChR in 2013 was an ineffective solution. They stand for holding a referendum to return the direct election.

According to the organizers of the protest action, a picket in Moscow was held in front of the permanent representative office of the KChR under the Russian President. It was organized by the "Communists of Russia" Party.

Eduard Marshankulov, the leader of the KChR's branch of the "Communists of Russia" Party, has noted that the activists of the party "are ready to go all the way and achieve the referendum by all legal means."

Let us remind you that the law granting the right of subjects of the Russian Federation to abolish the direct election of regional governors was signed by Russian President on April 2, 2013. After the adoption of the law, all the republics of Northern Caucasus, excepting Chechnya, cancelled direct elections.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.