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Putin calls on United Russia to develop inside party competition

President Vladimir Putin calls United Russia his “key ally and partner” and calls on the party to be more open and democratic

MOSCOW, May 26 (Itar-Tass) — President Vladimir Putin calls United Russia his “key ally and partner” and calls on the party to be more open and democratic.

“We have been working jointly for many years, and we shall continue this work for sure,” said the head of state to participants in the United Russia congress. “I regard United Russia my key ally and partner as well as the force that is ready to use all its abilities to build a free, strong and prospering country,” Putin stated.

In the president’s opinion, “to settle tasks facing the party, it should be efficient and viable, to comply with the high level of political leader of the country, to hear and feel requirements of society, to propose optimal solutions of economic and social tasks as well as to boost civil participation in running the state”.

The Russian chief executive noted that United Russia “creates new standards of openness in political work” when it formed the parliamentary list last year through public preliminary voting. “Not a single party claiming seats at the State Duma, did such things,” the head of state emphasized. He is convinced that United Russia should continue this practice.

“To be strong and win in the national political field, it is necessary to develop inside party democracy and competition. United Russia will be the leader only if it learns to support the best and all the most efficient inside itself. Inside party democracy is the main resource of competitiveness in the political field,” Putin noted.

According to the head of state, “renovation should affect all sides of party life, mechanisms of nominations and rotation of personnel”; it also necessary to develop cooperation with institutions of civil society.

“The competitive mechanism of screening, the institute of preliminary voting should be put down at the foundation of all personnel work of the party and should be regarded as a possibility for its use at all levels of party work,” the president stated. He explained that “the party should efficiently fulfill its important mission: to be a social elevator for talented and competent professionals”.

The head of state warned that “participation in direct gubernatorial elections will be a responsible thing for the party”. “The stake should be made on vigorous, honest and interested people. The more freedom, openness and democracy in inside party mechanisms, the stronger United Russia will be; it will be able to do more for the upswing and consolidation of the country,” Putin said with confidence.

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