Russian State Duma speaker Sergei Naryshkin has urged lawmakers to pass legislation moving next year's parliamentary elections forward three months to September 2016.
Critics say this will lower turnout and make it easier for the authorities to manipulate the result.
The latest Power Vertical Briefing takes a look at the proposal, which the Duma is expected to debate this week, and whether it is an indication that the regime is afraid of a voter revolt.
Joining me is Pavel Butorin, senior producer for RFE/RL's Russian-language television program Current Time.
Enjoy...
NOTE: The Power Vertical Briefing is a short look ahead to the stories expected to make news in Russia in the coming week. It is hosted by Brian Whitmore, author of the Power Vertical blog, and appears every Monday.
