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Putin’s Candidacy Debated in Duma
The Russian State Duma is considering the candidacy of former president Vladimir Putin for prime minister. All 448 current Duma members are present at the debate. There are two vacant positions in the Duma, which normally has 450 members. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev is also present in the Duma, where he was given a standing ovation after announcing Putin’s candidacy and requesting his confirmation by the legislative body.
“You know what successes were accomplished,” Medvedev told the legislators. He emphasized that those successes made it possible for society to move forward and strengthened the Russian state and its security. He also listed education, healthcare, agriculture and personal comfort and security s areas where there were still successes to be made. It was known in advance that the United Russia, Just Russia and LDPR factions will support Putin, and the Communists will not vote for him.
Putin received a standing ovation after speaking to the Duma on the basic course of the government. Then Duma members asked the candidate questions. Every faction is allowed two questions, but the United Russia faction is not taking the opportunity to address the future prime minister. Duma speaker Boris Gryzlov noted that members of his party have the opportunity to speak to the leader of their party without that question and answer session. Putin was confirmed as prime minister once already, in 1999.
www.kommersant.com
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