Russia to appoint ombudsman to oversee ethnic relations
Although the idea for a separate Ministry for Nationality Affairs fell flat, the Russian government still believes the issue should be addressed
Church splits Russian society
While Russians are divided in their opinions on the Orthodox Church role in society, pundits argue as to what extent the church can be involved in politics
Russian air force boasts new rockets
While new planes for the air force are still in development, the weaponry is already in place
Liberalizing Russia's criminal legislation
Although legal changes result in more than 4,000 people being set free, including Platon Lebedev, the move doesn't resolve the basic problems of Russia's justice system
Third of Russians like Prokhorov, while quarter likes Kudrin
The most-liked opposition figures in Russia are businessman Mikhail Prokhorov, ex-Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin and TV anchor Xenia Sobchak, but only Kudrin can boast of predominantly positive comments, the Public Opinion Foundation said in Moscow o
Experts argue that Putin's, Medvedev's first 100 days show tandem is viable
The first 100 days of Vladimir Putin's tenure as president and Dmitry Medvedev's as prime minister demonstrated that the re-formatted tandem is viable, especially in critical situations, political analysts say
Russian actor to head up the supreme council of the Right Cause party
Actor Ivan Okhlobystin has been appointed a top official of the Right Cause party
Russians argue whether Orthodox Church should stay out of politics or not
Half of Russians have noted the presence of the Orthodox Church in the state's domestic policy, with people increasingly noticing this over the past two years, according to public opinions polls
Anti-corruption groups compete for government attention
Alexei Navalny’s RosPil has a competitor, Secure Homeland, that is attracting more positive attention from the Kremlin
Russians to draft their own bills
A new law expected to be passed this fall will create a portal where any Russian citizen can propose legislation to the government
Vice Premier Surkov placed in charge of relations with religious organizations
Vice Premier and head of the Russian Cabinet staff Vladislav Surkov has been placed in charge of the government's relations with religious organizations
Experts expect radicalization of protests in Russia
Political scientists believe that protests, which are expected to become more active in Russia in the fall, will change considerably after the withdrawal of right-wing liberals and the appearance of new parties, which will "erode" the protest elector
NGO law affects Russia's civil society
Hundreds of Russian civil society organizations will not receive foreign grants anymore, despite the fact they depend on such funding to survive. Some organizations have decided to try to focus on Russian funding
United Russia dominates election fundraising
Party of power remains Russia’s richest political organization, while parties founded after April’s political reforms have yet to find much of an audience
Russians do not believe parties and the authorities
Sixty-nine percent of Russians interviewed in a recent survey said that the country's authorities have a very poor idea or no idea at all of what ordinary citizens really need
Cossacks to control migration in southern Russia
The governor of Krasnodar Territory attracts some unwanted attention with a controversial proposal
Putin joins Q&A at youth camp
On the last day of the annual Seliger camp for young political activists, President Vladimir Putin took the stage to answer questions about Russia’s political traditions and beer
Moscow likely to merge with Moscow Region
Urban planning experts are certain that in the next decade Moscow will combine with the Moscow Region, which will result in major changes in the way the city is governed
Russians support strict new laws
Surveys show that the majority of the population approve of tighter controls on speech in the name of security
Controlling the observers
A new law on election monitors provokes debate among experts