Four Duma members representing KPRF (Communist Party) have introduced a draft law on compulsory pre-election debate. The communists suggest candidates and parties reluctant to take part in public debate before general or presidential elections be disciplined or even removed from the run-up.
Russia’s current legislation does not make debate participation compulsory. Furthermore, a party that declined to participate (United Russia) had a privilege, using the time it would have spent for discussion to broadcast more advertisements.
Ivan Melnikov, one of the draft law’s authors, thinks parties and individuals refusing to debate two times, should be deprived the free air time they are given on TV and radio. This time should be distributed between other parties, the legislator thinks.
If a presidential candidates does not show up for the debates more than twice, he or she should be brought before the Supreme Court, which can annul their (or their party’s) registration for the run-up.
Earlier, some United Russia’s members also called for a legislation that would oblige candidates to debate with their competitors. More conservative UR Duma members have criticized the call. During the recent election, United Russia had ‘nobody to debate with”, MP Irina Yarovaya has said, referring to the party’s leading position in the recent campaign.
The idea of compulsory debates has been also supported by the Central Electoral Commission. “It is possible, I will always do what I can to support interesting debates”, the Commission’s head Vladimir Churov has said. Other members of the body said they were ready to prepare new rules to regulate the future public arguments between political parties.
Vera Kholmogorova
Photo: ITAR-TASS
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