"I do not think we need to introduce direct presidential rule," Putin told a Kremlin news conference when a reporter complained about the performance of a Far Eastern region's governor and suggested the head of state step in by introducing direct presidential rule in the province.
"What we should do is [work] together to identify problems that may be holding back the development of regions and the country at large, and address them throughout," he added.
The reporter, dressed in a sailor-style suit, made the Russian leader blush by addressing him as "incomparable Vladimir Vladimirovich," before she took up a more serious tone to talk about the Maritime Region's incumbent governor, Sergei Darkin, whom many in the region accuse of corruption.
A Putin-sponsored 2004 law abolished gubernatorial polls, vesting the president with the right to nominate candidates to the top jobs in the country's constituent member states.
Many have criticized the legislation as an attempt by the Kremlin to strengthen its grip on the provinces.
At Thursday's press conference, Putin again dismissed such criticisms, reminding his audience that in order to be appointed governor, a presidential nominee must receive the backing of more than 50% of regional lawmakers.
"I said earlier, and am saying again now that there were cases when I had to give up on my initial choice, with [regional] lawmakers telling me, 'We do respect you, but we will not vote for the candidate you are going to propose to us.'"
