(NYT) Moscow -—Dmitri A. Medvedev used his final state-of-the-nation address as Russia’s president on Thursday to outline extensive political reforms that, if implemented, would begin to deconstruct the heavily centralized government built over the last decade by his mentor, Vladimir V. Putin.
The proposals, which included a return to the direct election of governors, increased oversight of expenditures by officials and the creation of an independent television station, were clearly meant to address some of the main complaints of a protest movement that has recently emerged as a significant challenge to the Kremlin.