The Russian State Duma on Okhotny Ryad St. in Moscow
Photo: Dmitry Lebedev
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Medvedev’s Annual Address Delayed by Putin
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s annual address to the Federal Assembly will be delayed until autumn because of candidate premier Vladimir Putin’s speech to the State Duma, according to Vedomosti newspaper. A source in the presidential executive staff said that there was information overload coming from the nation’s leaders. “And they will simply not succeed in preparing the new president’s address.” Putin will address the Duma at noon. He will speak for 15 minutes “On the Program of Basic Direction of Activity of the Government of the Russian Federation,” then he will spend half an hour answering six questions from Duma members.
Putin will speak about tax and pension reforms that he will carry out as prime minister and about turning Russia into a world financial center. He will also speak about improving the law enforcement and court systems, according to a source. Two members of the Communist Party, LDPR and Just Russia will ask the future prime minister questions. The United Russia faction will abstain from questions, since “they have no questions for the chairman.”
Vedomosti has learned the questions that will be asked. The LDPR members will ask why it is hard for Russian business to invest abroad and how young scientists be stimulated to support innovation. Just Russia representatives will ask about social policy and the role of political parties in the life of the country. The Communists have yet to decide on their questions. They are concerned about foreign policy in relation to Ukraine’s NATO membership and election and education reform.
Putin was nominated before the Duma for prime minister by Medvedev on May 7. Speaker Boris Gryzlov has said that Putin’s confirmation would take about an hour and a half.
www.kommersant.com
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