From the era parade of sovereignties vestige remained in Moscow - mansions in the city center occupied by the Permanent Missions of the regions. Real authority and serious problems they have, but with staff salaries and fleet - a full order.

Remember the sound of article 1 of the Constitution? "The Russian Federation - Russia is a democratic federal law state with a republican form of government." This, of course, not a statement, as a vector of development. Then it makes sense to measure only the degree of deviation from this vector and argue which definition applies to our state, to a lesser extent: a democratic, legal or is it federal?

To ensure that these issues were not quite so rhetorical, in our country there are many political simulacra. For example, why not consider our state legal when there is a commissioner, commissioner for children's rights at Human Rights Ombudsman of business, not only in Moscow but also in each territory? And yet - the Public Chamber (in Moscow and each of the entities) and public councils at each department.

Any questions to the level of democracy? Democracy - is a procedure, and the procedure of elections we have covered all levels of government, from the president to the head of the municipality. In some regions, there is no direct election of governors? So the US has no direct election of the president: nothing - live.

But the largest number of trinkets have hung federalism. Each region has its own flag, coat of arms, and (often) the national anthem, its own constitution or statute (as a consequence - its constitutional or statutory court), but also, it turns out - and its permanent representative in Moscow.

That is, all subjects of the federation (with the exception of federal cities - Moscow) have an analogue in the capital of the embassy. And this tradition - to live. Once a part of the Russian Republic of Crimea and the federal city of Sevastopol were taken, every one of them got their - individual - representation. (Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia have embassies in Moscow, which, of course, even better than permanent mission).

What are the permanent mission? The first and perhaps the most important function - "flag demonstration." Sometimes quite a physical: flag proudly fluttering somewhere in a quiet side street in the historical center of Moscow, coat of arms engraved on a brass plate, inside, probably, on solemn occasions and played the national anthem of the subject. Federalism, given us in sensation.

As for the official functions of permanent representatives, they fluctuate in the range between "representation of interests" and "software interaction." That is - sterile bureaucracy. Permanent Representatives could be called lobbyists, lobbyist but needed resource. Strong regional leaders and ourselves in a position to present at the talks at any level (one with great respect will listen to talks at the Ministry of Finance, for example: Ramzan Kadyrov or Bekkhan Taymaskhanov?). And if the governor of the region is weak, the weight of the hardware of its permanent representative in Moscow altogether indistinguishable from zero.

Therefore, the usefulness of the measure permanent representative to the region, in most cases negative. After all, there is no benefit, and costs - are obvious.

This is, primarily, the burden of ownership, contents, and sometimes expensive and rental status property in Moscow. You can certainly say that it performs the function for outbound office of the governor. That if you do not know, for example, that the governor of the Murmansk region Marina Kovtun during a trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg stops in the best rooms are not the cheapest hotel, and the budget to pay for the pleasure of 30 to 50 thousand rubles per night. Although Kovtun has just two permanent offices - just as Moscow and St. Petersburg. But why to live in a family house on Nikitskaya, when the "Intercontinental" is Pushkin Executive Suite?

Whatever was occupied by the permanent representative and the State of its employees - but even if it does - we must pay for their work and to create the necessary working conditions. And in the capital, as you know, a man without a salary of one hundred thousand, with no premium car with a personal driver, can not be accepted in polite bureaucratic society.

Therefore, the average budget of a permanent establishment in the Russian region varies in the range of 20-30 million rubles a year. Regions we have 85, so the ceremonial institution as a whole costs 1.7-2.7 billion.

Yes, on a national scale, this amount does not produce a wow effect, but let's remember: first, that the money is spent completely in vain, and secondly, it is the load on the regional budgets, much of which is in deep crisis. And to them while hanging most of the social obligations.

Therefore, if eliminated completely unnecessary in the current political reality design and sell all the houses on the market in each region, you can build three schools, and the release of the money to pay for work not officials, and teachers.

School - This is not a simulacrum, so that our offer to the idea of ​​federalism is closer than it might seem. And that was not sorry, a school can be named in honor of the last ambassador. Because otherwise his name in the region, no one knows.

St. Petersburg

Petersburg representative office in Moscow was established on the basis of an agreement between the metropolitan government and the authorities of St. Petersburg June 27, 1996. Permanent Representative of St. Petersburg to Moscow in 2012 - Nikolai Buhantsov, first deputy head of the administration of St. Petersburg governor (not to be confused with the Vice-Governor).

Officially, the office is a body designed to express and defend the interests of St. Petersburg to Moscow in all spheres -. Economic, legal, scientific, cultural, etc. Permanent Representative, in turn, should exercise constant coordination and communication with the public authorities in Moscow, enterprises , organizations and institutions interested in strengthening and developing the friendly relations between the two capitals. Should promote joint projects.

Eloquent match the amount provided to the resident each year from the city budget, with any further costs did not. As, unfortunately, we could not find this information in the public domain: all committees, services and management of the Smolny publish financial reports on the expenditure of funds, and the permanent establishment - for some reason does not. Answering a query about the extent of funding directed to the Representative of St. Petersburg in Moscow 18.11.2016 year has not yet been received.

Over the past 20 years, the name Buhantsova repeatedly surfaced in connection with questionable transactions of commercial firms, to which he had somehow been implicated. 53-year-old Nikolai Buhantsov (in Soviet times - kultprosvetrabotnikov) went into business in the early 90s.

In 1995 he became the president of JSC "Universe-Nafta". Business Buhantsova been associated with a variety of schemes to optimize the tax, as well as trade in oil and oil products. He - one of the pioneers of offshore business in Russia. According to the "Novaya Gazeta", a part of the authorized capital of JSC "Universe-Nafta" owned by the company from the British Virgin Islands. Buhantsov brought the scheme to perfection: for example, "Sibneft" by a "Universe-Nafta" in some months received as compensation from the budget a lot more money than that to be deducted from taxes.

In 1996, after a year of activity, the "Universe-Nafta" was the object of investigation of the tax authorities. In 1998, he tried to declare themselves bankrupt, but the tax authorities did not allow her to do so. Only in 2006, the Moscow Arbitration Court declared the company bankrupt. However, according to experts' assumptions, with high probability the assets of JSC "Universe-Nafta" were simply transferred to the same name of registered in Kalmykia - the zone with preferential tax treatment. The debts of the closed joint-stock company, including tax, were bankrupt company.

In 2001 Nikolai Petrovich was appointed advisor to the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Ministry of Energy, and a member of the Board of Directors of Open-stock company "Rosneft". In 2002, he became CEO of the Central Supervisory Control Fuel and Energy Complex (CDU TEK), the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, and in 2003 - head of the department for cooperation with CIS countries Department of Energy of the Russian Federation. After retiring from that post in 2006, a long time engaged in social work, and then - before the appointment of the Permanent Representative of St. Petersburg to Moscow - was considered officially unemployed.

According to media reports, in 2012 one of the main Buhantsova assets abroad was company Pencilia Holdings Limited, which owned 50% stake in Cypriot Glidefern Limited. Glidefern, in turn, was the holder of 100% shares of CJSC "Naftatrans" engaged in transshipment of oil in the Krasnodar region. Market Value "Naftatrans" at that time, experts estimated at $ 200 million. Attempts Buhantsova in 2012-2013. sell or re-register a foreign property turned into lawsuits. According to information from open sources, currently Buhantsov still stands in the courts of different instances and the world that the plaintiff, the defendant.

Krasnoyarsk

If you are going to hear a report on the work of the regional permanent mission in Moscow, Krasnoyarsk Territory Legislative Assembly had an argument, which is unusual, with the governor Viktor Tolokonsky for him. He sent a report to his first deputy and deputies demanded to personally head the region's permanent mission at the Russian Government Mikhail Latyshev. This is a Moscow businessman appointed Tolokonsky the summer of 2014, few people in the region, including its Legislative Assembly saw. As a result, the issue of the agenda was removed, ignoring protests Tolokonski.

It was six years ago. Deputy Vladimir Sedov (now convicted and serving a sentence) Latyshev offered to buy a plane ticket so that he could fly to Krasnoyarsk. The governor said that "in the state to second person here, in Krasnoyarsk, and from this budget will not fall apart." This Tolokonskiy said: "I do not know how often was the previous head of the (permanent mission - AT.) In the Legislative Assembly, I had once asked how he was governor (previous, Lev Kuznetsov - AT.) worked, he replied: "I saw him once a year." Although the Governor is constantly visited Moscow, he did not interact with them. He had a secretary, a driver, and his office was engaged, it is not clear what matters. Now there is cleaned up, and it will be under my control always be. "

Tolokonskiy announced the restructuring of the Moscow office: a further reduction in staff (had already twice reduced), fleet (up to 5 cars) and, accordingly, expenditures from the budget for its maintenance "tens of millions".

It is developing plot traditionally: a Commission "to analyze the efficiency of state-owned enterprises of Krasnoyarsk region" Krasnoyarsk analytical center "at the Permanent Mission of Krasnoyarsk Krai of the Russian Government." Commission established on a permanent basis, approved the regulations on work.

After a month and a half after the bureaucratic debate in the Legislative Assembly on the site appeared procurement documentation for the open auction for the provision of transport services boundary Permanent Representation in Moscow before the end of the year (in fact, six months) in the amount of 8.185 million rubles (paid by the regional budget). From the artist was required to provide at least 5 business class cars with engine capacity of at least 167 liters. from. and at least 4 cars executive class 250-300 hp Required characteristics such as cruise control, seat heating, tinted painted detail. When a bewildered public began to wonder Is this the result of optimization of the fleet and the overall activity of a permanent representative, - the regional authorities have informed that the tender documents were placed on the public procurement website prematurely and with errors; Ads canceled.

As for the state, in 2010 there were 18 units. It has been cut to 16. Last year, according to media Krasnoyarsk, 7, of which three were free bets.

Located office in Nizhny Kiselny Lane, 10. This building near the Kremlin itself has become part of a grand plot operations with money overflowing from Krasnoyarsk budget in the range of wallets, details of which the "Novaya Gazeta" wrote in 2014. Documents by which it became possible, prepared in 2009, during the governorate of Alexander Khloponin, now Deputy Prime Minister, and implemented this scheme in 2010-2013 under the governor Lev Kuznetsov, faithful companion Khloponin and his perpetual replaced, now the Minister for Affairs of the North Caucasus.

I recall the essence: 6.2 billion from a leaking budget of Krasnoyarsk were withdrawn in the first edge state-owned enterprises - on patching dilapidated electrical and utilities, and then 5 billion were transferred to the outside - the private company "crack", and it has to dispose of them uncontrollably. Headed CRACK then Kuzichev Basil - son of the vice-governor Mikhail Kuzicheva. CRACK found money smarter applications than repair networks. In particular, this is a building bought from the company "Makroprof" by moving to Cyprus for 640 million, to be a whole host of "Makroprofa". At the time of purchase crack firm "Makroprof" owned Cypriot Dochemio Investments ltd (90%) and Liumel Holdings ltd (10%).

After purchasing "Makroprofa" with all its assets CRACK continued to list his lease payments for already bought the building - 144 million and issued a loan of 29 million Again, the regional authorities withdrew the money from the budget, they are close to them companions bought from other close companions expensive. property and these comrades continued to pay her rent.

Regional police department, having all the facts, could not bring an action because it was not the injured party: the regional authorities did not see a problem in that the amount identical third of the budget of Krasnoyarsk million, went to the feeding offshore bourgeoisie close this very regional authorities. The "new" could not get a response from the regional administration, but we were told of the presidential administration, the Office for combating corruption: a criminal case filed. A month later, Kuznetsov "gone" from Krasnoyarsk. He became a minister and went to the Caucasus.

The challenge to the resident in Moscow region is designated as follows: "Representation of the edge in the state power federal bodies." The current system is just as meaningful as if the Krasnoyarsk bureaucracy established itself permanent mission in London, as occupancy regional budget depends on the situation there the metal exchange far more than from Moscow's decisions.

In the early 90's Krasnoyarsk Territory was a leader among donor regions in defending their interests in the struggle for real federalism. Edge then led war budget to the city center, keeping taxes filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Arbitration to fedvlasti loudly demanded decentralization. At the busiest time of the regional authorities completely do without pompous representation.

Sevastopol and Crimea

In Sevastopol, its Moscow ambassador did not even know the employees of the city government. A permanent representation of the Crimea at a loss to say how much spending money.

- Till Tuesday? Nothing. Well, you should at least have called yesterday, - the press-service of the Government of Sevastopol assured that will not have time to answer three questions in two business days. Questions are as follows: the name of the permanent representative of the governor of Sevastopol in Moscow, how much money is spent on the maintenance of a permanent representative, and most importantly - decide what tasks this body?

- Well, at least tell me the name of - I say.

- Call back in half an hour.

dial press service again after the designated time.

- Record, - says the employee. - And about. Head: Catherine Vladislavovna Aghayan. Speaking of problems: read the status of the permanent mission.

According to recommend me to the document, Permanent Mission is responsible for promoting the interests of Sevastopol on the federal level, the government is coordinating Sevastopol work with federal authorities and establishes trade-economic and cultural cooperation with other regions of Russia.

What does a permanent mission with reference to specific cases, it is difficult to say. If you ask to find on the site of Sevastopol government request "Aghayan", then the answer would be: "Nothing was found." Discover in manual mode, the news of the Moscow representative office of Sevastopol activity also failed in November.

However, it must be said that the cost of maintaining its Moscow offices in Sevastopol modest. This year it has been allocated a total of 8.3 million rubles. The Legislative Assembly of the city, which allocates money to the permanent mission, counted, for example, excessive transport officials to provide for the budget bill.

"In Moscow, perfectly developed metro, public transport - and they must be used. It is possible to go by bus, and "Aeroexpress". And if you need some kind of secret documents to deliver, they should be sent by courier communication ", - said deputy Viktor Posmetny.

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol is not an example, is a more active information policy and less modest - money.

So, carting representatives of the RK transport company "Russia" the Office of the President. Crimean officials in Moscow for its activities needed one car class, 5 cars of business class, 2 minibuses and one bus. In 2016, only for these services to the Crimean permanent representative has been allocated 9.8 million rubles.

How much of the money from the Crimean budget is allocated for the maintenance of the Moscow representative office - is unknown. This could not be said even in the office. The office of the permanent representative Georgy Muradov "Novaya Gazeta", first announced that Head of Media Relations Sergey Pinchuk is on vacation, and then - in turn connected to two of his subordinates. Those, in turn, explained that they do not know anything about the financing volumes, and was asked to call the Deputy Permanent Representative Aslan Kireev. But he was not in the workplace.

Be that as it may, the Crimean representative office actively work out their money. Here is the latest news from the official site:

1) Deputy Permanent Representative Sergey Kudrin took part in the National Security Congress;

2) deputy ambassador Sergey Kudrin donated to the Museum of heroic defense of Sevastopol author doll depicting the famous heroine of the city's defense in 1854-1855. - Dasha Sevastopol;

3) Permanent Representative of the Republic of Crimea under the President of the Russian Federation Georgy Muradov participated in All-Russian economic meeting dedicated to the professional holiday "Day of the economist."

Murmansk

At the Permanent Mission of the Murmansk region as much as two offices - in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The head of a state-owned institution subordinate unit of the regional government, not a high official, and totally unknown citizen - one Alexander Shaklunov.

Functional permanent mission is blurred: reported to the government apparatus, is representing the interests of the region in state agencies located in the two capitals, ensuring interaction with their regional authorities, expanding business ties with NGOs and representatives of foreign countries. There is a list on the website of the government apparatus and the two points: "to ensure the implementation of cooperation between the Government of the Murmansk region of the Russian Federation, the Russian President's Administration of the Government of the federal bodies of state power" and "regularly inform the public authorities of the Murmansk region on preparing and decisions of public authorities located in the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg. "

Despite such a substantial role in the paper, the activities of a permanent representative invisible. Shaklunov virtually the only time appeared in public: the media reported that he was involved in the transfer of the Murmansk region flag polar explorers - members of the expedition "Arktika-2015" in January last year. Also, according to open sources, the son of Anton Shaklunova appointed deputy head of the Crimean Ministry of Health.

The predecessors of the current head of the permanent mission in the news appeared more often. For example, Nazim Adil oglu Mahmudov in May 2013, was shot in a restaurant "Transcarpathian patterns" on Rogozhskoe Val. In the media he had a reputation for "reshalschika" with this side of his activity has been connected and one of the versions have not disclosed the murder. Needless to add that the ordinary people of the region of the existence of Makhmudov did not know.

Such imperceptible to the public institution receives a good chunk of the budget money. Thus, only one in Moscow rent office Nikitskaya this year has cost 3.636 million rubles. In St. Petersburg, on the Moika - to 1.8 million.

For transportation ambassador in Moscow and St. Petersburg carpool regional government purchases are not cheap cars. Judging by the website of state purchases, four years ago for 600 thousand rubles were purchased "services operating, maintenance and service of BMW 750Li xDrive passenger car 2010 model year." Its book value at the time of the auction amounted to 3.7 million rubles. A similar competition already for 900 thousand rubles at the same time was played to service Ford Mondeo 2009 model year. The third - the maintenance of Audi A8L 2008, which in 2011 has participated in the accident, - under the wheels of the car, which carried on Novy Arbat then Governor Dmitrienko, got special regiment of traffic police officer.

Omsk

What specific function or mission takes office in the capital of Omsk, Omsk vast majority do not know, and indeed few people realize it exists. Not disclosed details of the activities of the institution, even in the section dedicated to him in the portal oblpravitelstva (their website at no representation). It says that it solves two problems: "representation of the Omsk region in the relationship" with the different bodies of state power "and" maintenance of interaction "of the Governor (with a capital letter), Governments in the region with the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, the Government and other bodies of the above."

What exactly is the "software" is and why the regional government can not communicate on their own, the portal is not explained to them.

Probably there were such questions, and at the very head of the Omsk region: a half years ago on his initiative halved the region's representative office in Moscow (from 18 to 9 full-time units), and the representation of the city of Omsk, to function as a separate legal entity in a separate area, became part of the regional representation and moved to his office. Savings from this relocation was 100 thousand. Rubles per month (as much was spent on payment of rent premises 300 sqm). From 12 urban representation of employees remained three. According to the mayor's office, its reorganization, that is actually the liquidation, reduce costs the city budget for the 9 million rubles a year.

Now representation from Omsk region in government, one office, in which staff of 12 people. According to information released by the portal "The budget for the citizens", in 2016 it planned to spend on its maintenance 23,760,000 rubles, of which 20.38 million - on payments to staff, from which it is easy to calculate the average salary - about 150 thousand rubles. month (when compared with the average for the region, it turns out that each of polpredskih runs for five).

By 2015, the representative of the Omsk region was led by former Colonel-General Viktor Voitenko border troops, who retired after the unification of the regional and city departments retired. In his place was appointed Andrei Ishkov, led since 2012 public institutions "Representation of the city of Omsk", and before that held various inconspicuous office in Moscow (Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Federal Affairs, National and Migration Policy, deputy director of the group of companies "Montazhpromstroy" and others.) . Education - Mechanical Engineer (graduated from the Siberian State Automobile and Road Technical University), professionally interested in kickboxing: Honored Coach, CEO Kickboxing Center "Centaur" in Moscow.

Assist whether to these skills in contacts with the authorities, it is difficult to say, but still in the 90 years of Omsk Region was considered a place of restless: July 22, 1996 in his hotel room, was killed managing director of the regional administration Alexander Kharlamov and accompanied his guard - police captain - died on the way to the hospital from a gunshot wound to the head, before having it in some way to take the blame for the murder of the Kharlamov (captain allegedly shot him from the personal dislike, and then shot himself). According to unofficial versions, PE was associated with the formation of the list of shareholders of "Sibneft". And in the same year at the entrance of his home was killed by a deputy of the regional Legislative Assembly Oleg Devil, who headed a commission to investigate the activities of the oil companies. And three days before the creation of this company was drowned in the Irtysh Omsk refinery director Ivan Litskevich. The causes of these tragedies remain unknown until now.

Samara

Permanent Representative of the region in Moscow in 2012 -. Igor Eremin (from 2000 to 2007, he held executive positions in the Orenburg region government, was in charge of Economic Development and Trade has worked in the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Russian Federation Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism and international cooperation. ).

Earlier this place with the prefix "Acting" held Anatoly Holovaty. The report of the governor's press service said that Holovaty left his post at his own request.

In 2015, Igor Eremin, head of the Samara region in Moscow representative office, was for some reason renamed the authorized representative of the governor of the Samara region in Moscow, at the same time receiving the position of vice-governor.

The meaning of his work, if briefly, to ensure "comprehensive, integrated and operational cooperation of the governor of the Samara region and the Samara Region Government with the President and Government of Russia."

The declared annual income of Igor Vladimirovich Eremina for 2015 - 4528 873.98 rubles.

Declared income of his deputy - Stanislav Fedorenko Paton - 1662 826.84 rubles.

Head of Financial Management and Accounting, respectively - 696 and 498.87 1507 452.82 rubles.

In the same 2015 Charity Organization "House of Childhood", helping students and graduates of children's homes and boarding schools, received a grant from the regional budget of 90 000 rubles.

Rare phenomenon in public Eremina not carry to the category of good. So, April 17, 2014 the owner of "Airline" Kogalymavia "Ismail Lepiev signed with the governor Nicholas Merkushin merger agreement" Air Samara "and MetroJet.

The meeting was dedicated to the merger of the two airlines, along with the Regional Transport Minister, Director of the airport Kurumoch and director of "The airline Kogalymavia" took part and Igor Eremin.

The much-touted project a little of what actually failed, so also was the subject of criminal proceedings. Privolzhskoye Investigation Department RF IC transport opened a criminal case under Part. 1, Art. 263 of the Criminal Code (violation of rules of operation of air transport negligently caused the major damage) into the emergency landing "Beechcraft B 300".

Dmitry Oreshkin, a political scientist:

"This regulatory authorities ritual, symbol of loyalty to the center"

- Each region has a representative office in Moscow - with the possible exception of some small areas. If the head of the region comes, he needed an office where he could print paper and where it can collect its employees. Their other function - is the traditional expression of regional loyalty. Representations are the regulatory bodies of ritual, which express a symbolic model for the territorial integrity of the country. As in the Middle Ages, when the annual Kurultai to Khan gathered representatives of various nations. They expressed their him my resignation, and he said in response to what they were waiting for - where to go to war and what the latest political news. In fact, for the representation of the regions in the Russian Federation Council there, but it also performs sacral-ritual function - MPs from the region, in fact, be appointed by the center.

The existence of representative offices - a consequence of the actual Unitarian Russia. All aspects of the development of the regions dependent on Moscow's decisions. In a real federation of regions themselves to take your money and would have dealt with the representations as to their advantage. But our taxes are withdrawn first, and then redistributed according to political interests. In Russia, only 10 self-sufficient regions, others receive subventions and subsidies from the budget. The one who is closer to the center, gets some privileges, so you should always revolve around the throne. In Germany, on the contrary, the center is largely dependent on the region - the Bundesrat, the Chamber of land, there are very influential. In the US, states are choosing the president and deduct part of the revenue to maintain the bureaucracy in Washington, that is, contain the center.

Zemsky reforms of Alexander II in the early 1860s led to a decentralization of the country, due to which its territory began to flourish. Russian Empire at that time was much more similar to the federation than it is today. In it there is a radical difference between the period from the time of Ivan the Terrible, when zemstvos were subject to centralized oprichnina. Stalin returned model of Ivan the Terrible, in which the regions are suppressed, and the Zemstvos are under the tight control of power structures. The logic is such that the hard territorial control is more important than the development and economic growth. Let the regions are poor and depressed, but dependent and subordinate to the center. Similarly, this works today.

Dmitry Gorovtsov, State Duma deputy VI-th convocation:

"There are no real powers have no representative"

- Working deputy, I have often been in the representation of the Kemerovo region to "Novokuznetskaya". No real authority in this body there - in fact, it is a lobby that protects the interests of the Federation. The first task of representation - monitoring of the legislation, which is before Parliament. The second - close interaction with the federal bodies of executive authority in respect of the interests and objectives of the Kemerovo region. The meetings, in which I took part, the most important issue was the inter-budgetary relations between the center and the regions, and, of course, attempts to increase funding for the region. Finally, the third objective - ensuring the visit to Moscow, the head of the region. To this can be added the monitoring of information, awareness of the regional governor. Part of this post duplicates the functions of the deputies from the region in the State Duma and the Federation Council, but a lot of information is not the case - than its more the accuracy and effectiveness of the decisions that are taken by the authorities.

Alexander Kanev, a political scientist:

"Sometimes you do not know in the administration of the region, who represents him in Moscow"

- Regional Office in Moscow often operate on the principle of field offices, which stop regional officials, conduct any meeting or negotiations, when there are in the capital. We can say that this is the desired function: the officials have to periodically visit the center, and not all meetings are held at the offices of ministries and departments - for example, communication with businesses, investors, the public. In this sense, his office, which can sometimes play the role of the hotel - a pretty important element.

Permanent Representative - It's official unit, which is usually used as an element of building relations between the authorities of the region and of a group of federal political elite. Figures from the regions to Moscow often prescribe one of those structures which support regions for some reason is important: it may be law enforcement agencies or any corporation. In the regions, by the way, as a rule, publicly known and may not appear - sometimes even in the administration of the region do not know who it is.

I do not think that the regional offices - is an atavism. Even if the budget process has been arranged in a different way, and the regions would not be subsidized, it would still be plenty of things that need to be addressed in Moscow, given the concentration of population, resources and everything else. In addition, many of the issues are solved purely legally in Moscow. Despite the formal status of the federation, Russia strongly Unitarized - skewed toward the center only increased over the past 15-20 years.