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Medvedev says he and Putin should be UR members

Medvedev insisted all UR members shall share both party ideas and political risks

GORKI, December 17 (Itar-Tass) —— Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made it clear on Saturday that he and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin should be members of the ruling United Russia Party.

Both Medvedev, the number one on the UR party ticket at the December 4 election, and Putin, the chairman of the United Russia, are no members of the party.

“I believe it necessary for the leadership of the United Russia and the leaders of the United Russia, the leaders on party tickets at elections to be members of the United Russia Party without exception,” he told UR activists.

Only in this case “our citizens will believe that the party is not just an election mechanism or a career ladder in the life of that or another official,” he added.

Medvedev insisted all UR members shall share both party ideas and political risks. “Party members shall be genetically linked to it. They should live by the interests of the people, participate in all initiatives of the party rather than formally attend its events, link all their hopes to the party and share political risks with it,” Medvedev said.

“When the party is on the rise it is good for all, when the party is on decline the political risks shall be shared by everyone – the leadership and members. I am convinced it is the main condition for our future victories,” the president said.

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