INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
In a rare show of defiance toward the federal government in Moscow, regional politicians in Tatarstan on Thursday rejected a set of
amendments to its constitution that would have, among other measures, demoted the republic's leader from "president" to "head" as the
Kremlin continues its attempt to rein in Russia's regions
over the past decade has drastically curtailed the term's use, leaving Tatarstan's Rustam Minnikhanov the only regional leader in Russia
autonomy, bucking the prevailing trend seen elsewhere in Russia.Despite this, the regional parliament in the capital Kazan was expected to
constitutional amendments was put forward by a group of 37 deputies on Wednesday
Self-Government.gossov.tatarstan.ruDespite this representing rare opposition to a Kremlin-sponsored measure, regional analysts agree that
the incident is unlikely to put an end to the redrafting of Tatarstan's constitution or to spark conflict between Kazan and Moscow
policy known as well as an attempt to save face amid a Kremlin power grab.Whatever their personal opinion, the deputies risk being dismissed
from their posts if they don't ultimately approve the measures, Aysin added
"This is about the honor and dignity of these deputies," Aysin told The Moscow Times
"One has to have serious courage to do this."
