The president of Russia's southern republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, says Russia needs a “tsar” rather than a manager as head of state, RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service reports.
Minnikhanov made the comment on at a meeting of local media in Tatarstan’s capital, Kazan.
He added that it would be "disappointing" if the people of Tatarstan did not give mass backing to Vladimir Putin in the March 4 presidential election, saying Russia’s current prime minister had done “so much” for the republic.
In parliamentary elections in December, Tatarstan, a Volga region of almost 4 million people, officially gave Putin’s United Russia party 78 percent of its vote -- far above the national average.
According to federal law, Tatarstan’s president is nominated by the Russian president and confirmed by the local parliament.
Minnikhanov made the comment on at a meeting of local media in Tatarstan’s capital, Kazan.
He added that it would be "disappointing" if the people of Tatarstan did not give mass backing to Vladimir Putin in the March 4 presidential election, saying Russia’s current prime minister had done “so much” for the republic.
In parliamentary elections in December, Tatarstan, a Volga region of almost 4 million people, officially gave Putin’s United Russia party 78 percent of its vote -- far above the national average.
According to federal law, Tatarstan’s president is nominated by the Russian president and confirmed by the local parliament.