In Russia there was a city "Master Great Novgorod" (Господин Великий Новгород). To protect the city a knyaz (князь) was elected. For example, Alexander Nevsky was elected to protect Novgorod from the Swedes.
In "The Veles Book", it is said that the Veche (national assembly) ruled in Russia for 15 centuries. The knyaz were elected by all the people, but then the knyazs betrayed the covenants of their ancestors and remained in power without further elections.
"The Veles Book"
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Вече имели, и что решалось на Вече, так и было, а чего не решалось - не было..
Князей избирали от полюдья до полюдья, так и жили
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Кровь (родства) - это святая кровь наша! -О том напоминали старейшины, когда избирали князей.
И так мы пятнадцать веков управлялись Вечем,
и собирались на него,
и судили всякого, как подчинённого, так и главного.
Так правили наши отцы, и всякий мог высказать слово...
Но то благо утратили мы из-за хазар после веков Трояна 1 ,
когда впервые (князья) уселись с сыновьями своими и внуками наперекор решению Вече.
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Rough translation:
We had Veche. It was what the Veche decided. What did not solve Veche - was not.
The knyazes were elected.
We were ruled for 15 centuries by Veche.
And they gathered at the Veche.
And they were judged by anyone, both subordinate and principal.
Our fathers ruled there and anyone could say their word.
But we ended prosperity because of the Khazars after the centuries of Troyan,
When the knyazes gained power with their sons and grandsons, despite the Veche's decision.