MOSCOW, August 16 (RIA Novosti) - Nearly a year after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his plans to replace direct gubernatorial elections with the appointment of governors, a weekly business magazine commented on the results of the move.

Expert said the new procedure, which was officially established nine months ago, had created an opportunity to develop the party system at the regional level, but had reduced the flow of new people into the regional elite groups. The latter now have to be more transparent and consolidated in their work, and cannot afford to become caught up in internal bickering. The role of regional legislatures, which approve the candidacy of a would-be governor, has been dramatically increased.

The weekly wrote that the Kremlin was not trying to impose its choice on local legislatures, and the majority of governors had retained their seats. When regional leaders were replaced, the new candidates were discussed within the local elites rather than inside the Kremlin.

Another trend is evident, according to the magazine. The abolition of gubernatorial elections slashed the number of potential candidates, and reduced the chances of new strong and independent figures coming to power.

An effective mechanism for selecting personnel is conspicuous by its absence. Today, when the Kremlin bears full responsibility for personnel policy, a federal recruitment agency could be instructed to follow the progress of all promising officials in the regions and provide new people for top positions. It is equally advisable to preserve elections of mayors in large cities.

The fears of those opposing the new procedure have proved to be unfounded. No undemocratic processes are under way, and no Kremlin stooges can be seen dominating the local authorities. By and large, the situation in the regions remains the same. The latter, though, means that the hopes of those who backed Putin's initiative to abolish gubernatorial elections have also been dashed.

According to Expert, the president's move is encouraging the development of a party system based on a small number of federal parties that have powerful branches in the regions. The personnel problem, however, has become more acute. The flow of young and ambitious leaders who began emerging at gubernatorial posts shortly before the elections were abolished is tailing off.