First deputy chairman of the central committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Ivan Melnikov
Photo: Alexander Miridonov
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Communists Will Vote against Putin
The Communist faction in the State Duma will vote against Vladimir Putin for prime minister, deputy speaker of the Duma and first deputy chairman of the central committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Ivan Melnikov told journalists. Melnikov said that the Communists oppose the course the country is taking. Specifically, they object to building the economy on raw materials and to the high inflation that reigns in Russia now.
The party, Melnikov said, is in favor of developing industry and high technology. He noted that Putin “is a representative of that course” and there is no reason to think he will change his position as prime minister.
Melnikov said that party leader Gennady Zyuganov will state the party’s position at its meeting on May 8. No actions, such as a walkout from the Duma, are planned. Melnikov also said that, at the start of the Duma session, at 2:00 local time, the document proposing the candidacy of Putin for prime minister had not been received. After waiting for that document in order to call a meeting of the Duma Council, members were finally asked to wait further in their offices.
Just Russia faction leader Nikolay Levichev told journalists that each faction will be able to ask Putin two questions during the discussion of his candidacy for prime minister. That implies, he added, that Putin will be present at that discussion.
www.kommersant.com
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