The lower chamber of Russian parliament – the State Duma, has approved Viktor Zubkov as the new Prime Minister of Russia. The President Vladimir Putin nominated Mr Zubkov as new head of government on Wednesday, after accepting the former PM Mikhail Fradkov’s resignation. Zubkov’s candidature was voted 381 to 47.
The would-be head of government, now the 9th in succession of Russian PMs after the collapse of the Soviet Union, arrived at State Duma 30 minutes before the vote. He addressed the legislator with a speech on his vision of Russia’s further development.
He began his presentation with a promise to reform the government’s structure, with a stress on personal responsibility of each official, which, he believes, can secure more work dynamics for the ministers themselves and sustainable economic and social development for the nation. He also said he plans to replace some ministers of the former cabinet, especially those in the ‘social block’, who proved to be very unpopular with Russians. The would-be PM said corruption is still one of Russia’s most serious problems. “Corruption penetrated our whole society’. Lack of professionalism and corruption ‘can ruin’ the country, Zubkov believes. He said the Duma should pass an anti-corruption law, and suggested that a new authority should be created to battle corruption.
He then cited Russia’s educational system as crucial for the country’s future. Without quality education at schools and universities, Russia has no hope of becoming ‘an advanced economy’, Zubkov said. He also stressed the importance of ‘national projects’ for development of educational and health care systems. The projects have already helped get matters off the ground for the respective sectors. Mr Zubkov said he believes Russia’s government ‘should concentrate its efforts on further strengthening of the traditionally strong industries, such as aircraft and ship building, with state corporations currently being created are to play a great part in development of these industries’, the candidate said.
He pledged to work towards employment rate growth and better social safety of Russia’s people. ‘First of all, we must support growth of employment, keep up dynamics of growth of wages, securing the necessary social protection of the population’. He also promised to increase pensions for retirees. Other priority social directions for the future government would be increasing wages and construction of new housing for military personnel, the official said. Asked by one of the legislators about the current situation with Russia’s television, Zubkov said it would be wrong to introduce censorship in the media.
Photo: ITAR-TASS
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