Edinaya Rossiya (United Russia) party members have taken part in the second "Strategy-2020" forum to discuss Russi's modernisation and development of democracy. The also promised to "consider" if their party is to take part in TV debates in the run-up to next general election
The first Strategy-2020 forum took place in Moscow in April on the eve of United Russia's ninth congress. Party leaders have decided to call the forum every year, and gather participants of each of the eight theme sections even more regularly to discuss current issues.
Today's meeting involved participants of "Our Democracy" workshop, and was presided by Valery Fadeev, Expert's editor-in-chief. Political scientists, editors of leading media and even Vladislav Surkov, First deputy head of Presidential administration.
The gathering discussed a few topics, such is Russia's modernization, the new law on the media and state grants for social and political research, but most participants seemed to find the development of democracy in Russia the most important issue. "Who says that if there is a strong president in a country there should not be a strong parliament?", political scientist Boris Makarenko exclaimed. He said to make the parliament "strong" its leading party - United Russia, must not avoid TV debates as it did during the previous election campaign. "All political parties should be obliged to participate in pre-election discussions", Fadeev agreed. Duma member Vladimir Pligin also supported the idea, stressing that debates between parties can make the political process "more competitive".
But even if "Our Democracy" members’ suggestion becomes law, we'll be only able to witness such debate in more that three years.
United Russia plans to hold a meeting with their "party leader" Vladimir Putin, who is currently the country's PM, in the nearest future, Expert Online has learned. So far, there has been no scheme developed of how the party and Putin could interact regularly. The ex-president is never present at party leadership meetings, while "united Russians" still hope Putin will some day take a more active part in their work.
Vera Kholmogorova
Photo: RIA Novosti
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