Putin Tests New Law, Dismisses Governor
Russian President Vladimir V. Putin used a controversial new law to sack a regional governor for failing to ensure that homes were heated through the winter near the Arctic Circle.
A Kremlin spokeswoman said Putin fired the governor of the Koryakia region, Vladimir Loginov.
The new law allows Putin to appoint and dismiss previously elected heads of the 89 regions and ethnic republics that make up the Russian Federation.
Winter energy problems are common in areas of Russia, but this year Koryakia required emergency use of helicopters and ice-breakers to deliver.
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