The period after 2012 saw mass protests against the falsification of elections, censorship and toughening of free assembly laws. In July 2000, according to a law proposed by Putin and approved by the Federal Assembly of Russia, Putin gained the right to dismiss the heads of the 89 federal subjects. In 2004, the direct election of those heads (usually called "governors") by popular vote was replaced with a system whereby they would be nominated by the president and approved or disapproved by regional legislatures.Lynch, Dov (2005). "The enemy is at the gate": Russia after Beslan. International Affairs 81 (1), 141–161.Putin tightens grip on security, BBC News, 13 September 2004.
The period after 2012 saw mass protests against the falsification of elections censorship and toughening of free assembly laws In July 2000 according to a law proposed by Putin and approved by the Federal Assembly of Russia Putin gained the right to dismiss the heads of the 89 federal subjects In 2004 the direct election of those heads (usually called "governors") by popular vote was replaced with a system whereby they would be nominated by the president and approved or disapproved by regional legislaturesLynch Dov (2005) "The enemy is at the gate" Russia after Beslan International Affairs 81 (1) 141–161Putin tightens grip on security BBC News 13 September 2004