Putin praised opposition heavyweights
Russian President Vladimir Putin wished success to new political parties in the upcoming 2021 elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation, but spoke very complimentarily about the “old” opposition.
He announced this today at a big press conference, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“About new parties. Is it time for the old political heavyweights to give up their place? This is not decided by new parties or political heavyweights in the form of traditional parties, it is decided by citizens, it is decided by voters. They make decisions in elections: who to support.
Does our political system (and it is developing) provide an opportunity for more political forces and political parties to take part in national election campaigns? Yes, it does. Next year, a larger number, I think there are up to 16 parties, can take part in the election campaign without collecting signatures. Because, in accordance with our current law, they received representation in a number of constituent entities of the Russian Federation and with it the right to try their hand at the national political arena.
I wish them success, but I also want to tell you that who to elect is still decided by the voter. And in this regard, I would like to note that traditional political parties are well known, they have been represented in parliament for many years.
We must pay tribute, different, sometimes polar points of view are heard in parliament, and even heated discussions on a number of problems that the country faces and which they put before us as an authority. But at the same time, almost every one of them speaks from a patriotic position. And he is trying to solve the problems facing the country. The approaches and tools for solving these problems are different, but all traditional political parties have the same goal: the well-being and development of the country,” Putin said.
The number of political parties participating in elections to regional legislative assemblies has increased over the past 5 years by 12%, and those represented in local legislative assemblies - by 29%. In 2015, the legislative councils had an average of 4,2 parties per federal subject, in 2018 – 4,6, in 2020 – 5,4.
As a result of the regional elections, 16 Russian parties will be able to take part in the State Duma elections in 2021 without the mandatory collection of signatures. The list was replenished with three new parties that were able to overcome the five percent threshold in elections to regional parliaments. These are “New People”, “Green Alternative” and “For Truth” by Zakhar Prilepin. Experts believe that Rodina and the Party of Pensioners also have a good chance of entering the State Duma.
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