We need to think about it, we need to see: Putin commented on the law on the liquidation of village councils
In fact, he himself signed it exactly six months ago, despite the disagreement of some factions in the State Duma and negative reviews from some regions.
"Are we really considering ending the work of local councils?" — Putin was surprised at a meeting with the leaders of political party factions in the State Duma. In response, the deputy head of the presidential administration Sergey Kiriyenko He literally explained to Putin in simple terms how federal law works.
"This is completely unacceptable, — the communist commented on the law Gennady Zyuganov. The grassroots level needs to have its own people who will take care of them. Otherwise, what, will they come from 50 kilometers away? No one will come."
Vladimir Putin agreed and acknowledged that it was necessary to think and look: "Because Gennady Andreevich is right here: you can’t drive enough and see enough."
Putin signed the Federal Law "On the General Principles of Local Self-Government" in March 2025. The law abolishes the most basic and widespread level of municipal governance—rural and urban settlements—and transfers all their powers and budgets to the higher level—the municipal or urban district. This means that the former village councils must now be governed by a single administration, often located tens, if not hundreds, of kilometers away from the small villages.
According to the law's authors, this was intended to "optimize" governance and reduce bureaucratic costs. In reality, however, it deprived residents of remote villages and towns of their last remaining opportunity to influence local authorities and promptly resolve their problems.
Activists have already spoken out against the municipal reform Altai Republic — They filed a lawsuit against the new regulations, but the Supreme Court dismissed their claim. Deputies from Krasnoyarsk Territory. The heads of villages also spoke out against the reforms. Khabarovsk и Primorsky edges, deputies from Buryatia.
