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important element in how successful governors are in implementing policies,
which are usually federally mandated.
Originally, the new powers were part of the second stage of another reform: a broader law that would have also seen the elimination of thousands of currently free-standing municipalities, folding them into higher-level local authorities. This law would have completed Russia’s “unified system of public power” prescribed by the 2020 constitutional reform. That law, however, was shelved in 2022 as the Kremlin was looking to avoid potentially risky overhauls in domestic politics during the war.
Russian court arrests opposition leader Navalny's lawyers. A Moscow court arrested three of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's lawyers on Oct. 13 following their detention earlier the same day, the court's press service reported.
New elections are scheduled for April 2024, however, following the imposition of martial law after Russia's invasion last February, the elections were cancelled as Ukraine’s constitution forbids holding elections while martial law is in effect. Cancelling the elections has unsettled some of Ukraine's partners, as nominally Western aid is being sent to Ukraine in the defence of democracy vs Russia’s authoritarian regime. US Senator Linsey Graham called for elections to be held during a visit to Kyiv earlier this year, a proposal Zelenskiy dodged by saying he was open to the idea if the West were to provide the approximately $5bn it would cost to organise. “I need my money for bullets, not ballots,” he said at the time. However, an election is possible to organise but the constitution would have to be amended first.
The combined wealth of Russia’s billionaires increased by $21.129bn in January–September, according to the Bloomberg billionaires Index (BBI) on October 2. The index is calculated using capitalization and the financial reports of the companies owned by the businessmen. For some companies, a capitalization to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) ratio or a share price to earnings per share ratio are used. The rating comprises 500 wealthiest people of the world, including 24 Russians. Vladimir Potanin, one of the core owners of metals giant Norilsk Nickel, led the rating with a $28.4bn fortune that decreased by $210bn. Independent gas producer Novatek’s co-owner Leonid Mikhelson ranked second with wealth increasing by $2.68bn to $27.3bn. Businessman Vladimir Lisin earned $3.42bn to $23.3bn, occupying the third place.
Police announces discovery of fraud scheme selling non-existent cars for military. Ukraine's National Police uncovered a criminal fraud network, in which individuals allegedly sold non-existent vehicles, including to soldiers and volunteers who planned to use them on the front, the service reported on Oct. 4.
35 RUSSIA Country Report November 2023 www.intellinews.com