Until 2005, governors in Russia were elected by popular vote, but then this procedure was replaced by, in fact, presidential appointments. In 2012, they decided to return to the elections again.
When direct elections of regional governors were canceled in 2004, many considered this decision to be contrary to the Constitution. Nevertheless, the procedure for nominating persons for this position by the president himself operated until 2012. The governors were appointed by the legislative assembly of the subject, but the president approved the candidacy. So the choice was limited only to the election of the most representative body - the Legislative Assembly. In 2009, the mechanism changed, but only partially: the party with the majority of votes in the region could propose its candidates to the president. At the same time, the governor, who did not justify the confidence of the head of the country, could be recalled.
Since June 1, 2012, the law on direct elections of governors is again in effect in Russia. The heads of the constituent entities from this time are elected for 5 years and cannot hold this position for more than two terms in a row. Candidates can be nominated from different parties, as well as independently. In the latter case, they will have to collect signatures of residents of the subject in their support.
On the way to the elections, candidates pass through a kind of "filters". First, in order to participate in the electoral process, they need to collect signatures of local representatives of the legislative and executive authorities (i.e., deputies, heads of settlements). Those who have collected less than 5% of signatures are not allowed before the elections. And secondly, all candidates interact with the president during the election campaign. Those. the head of state can advise future governors.
Federal law also provides that voters themselves can recall the elected governor. The reason for this may be his violation of the law or “repeated gross, without good reason, failure to fulfill his duties, established by the court”.
