MOSCOW - Remember a few years ago when President Vladimir Putin announced his "vertical of power" and "dictatorship of law"? Immediately, voices were raised in alarm at the prospect of a centralization of government and a possible return to authoritarian power in which the Kremlin would decide all. Unfortunately for the ideologues at that time, things don't seem to have worked out that way, judging by Kremlin favorite Valentina Matviyenko's less-than-stellar success in the pre-term elections for governor of St. Petersburg.

Ever since former St. Petersburg Gov. Vladimir Yakovlev fell from grace earlier this year, the Kremlin — and Putin personally— have been pushing for Matviyenko, currently the presidential envoy to the Northwest Federal District, to serve as his replacement. The full backing and resources of the government were devoted to making sure that she emerge victorious in the first round of polling. Instead, Matviyenko won a disappointing 49 percent of the vote, clearly ahead of her nearest rival, St. Petersburg Deputy Gov. Anna Markhova (with 16 percent), but still not enough for a clear victory.

In other words, the "vertical of power" was unable to ensure a victory for a Kremlin-backed candidate for a major position in Putin's hometown. If this is a "dictatorship," it is not Pinochet's — it is more like the Keystone Cops'. Putin's secretive Cabinet may be a powerful group of people, but they are only one of the many clans that litter the corridors of Russian power. If anyone in the Kremlin is taking victories in the Duma and presidential elections for granted, Matviyenko's showing in the polls may be an indicator that Russians are rejecting the "vertical of power."

Putin gave thinly veiled support to Matviyenko. St. Petersburg has become the most doted-upon city in Russia. Dozens of foreign heads of state came to pay their respects after the whitewash given to the city for its 300 year anniversary this spring over the former marshes of the Gulf of Finland. Putin has shown great liking for the city. In some ways, St. Petersburgers today rule Russia. Yet, the people of St. Petersburg gave only a relatively meager 49 percent vote to Matviyenko. If this is all that the massive resources of administrative power can pull off, it may be time for the Russian elite to come to terms with the message: The people are rejecting "managed democracy," and it is time that parties and political power blocs started paying real attention to their electorate.

The party lists for the Duma elections are coming out — and they are filled with paying sponsors of big business and professional politicians and lobbyists. Grassroots politics is dead even in the Communist Party — which also features a number of candidates connected with big business. A developed market economy may be taking hold, but politics is still a village bazaar.

Matviyenko will probably win the second round and become governor. But she would do well to look at the disinterested and listless faces of her electorate, which does not have much hope in her and the system she represents.