YELTSIN/GUBERNATORIAL

. According to presidential legal adviser Mikhail Krasnov, Boris Yeltsin will not sign the draft law on the formation of the Federation Council because it calls for holding gubernatorial elections within eight months. Yeltsin sees this provision as interfering with the presidential prerogative to appoint provincial governors, Krasnov said. The Duma passed the law late last month, overriding the Federation Council’s veto which had been largely inspired by the presidential office. (6)

In the absence of a law countersigned by the president, the existing system of forming the Federation Council will continue, and Yeltsin will retain his powers to decide on all issues relating to gubernatorial appointments or (in the few cases in which he deems it advantageous) elections.

Shakeups.