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Communists to raise question of Education and Science Minister’s resignation at meeting with Vladimir Putin

Meeting with President scheduled for May 15

MOSCOW, May 13 (Itar-Tass) - Russian communists intend to raise the question of Education and Science Minister Dmitry Livanov’s resignation at their meeting with President Vladimir Putin scheduled for May 15.

The leaders of the Communist Party’s faction in the State Duma intend to discuss the government’s latest performance report and several other pressing issues, one of the party leaders and Dume Deputy Speaker Ivan Melnikov said on Monday, May 13.

“Naturally, as always, the agenda is determined by the host, that is, by the president. And we are ready to discuss any issue because we have a position on each of them,” Melnikov said.

“Speaking of what bother us, we should recall the government’s report,” he said, adding that the faction would like to discuss such issues as “the industrial decline, a lack of personnel in high-tech industries, the situation in the agrarian sector, including in the light of Russia’s accession to the WTO, the state of the forestry industry and other issues.”

“Standing out among those are two topics, which we have seized firmly and want to bring to the end,” Melnikov said. “These are mainly issues related to defrauded housing construction investors and the operation of the housing and utilities sector as a whole; and secondly, the scientific and educational policy of the Education and Science Ministry headed by Dmitry Livanov.”

“Three factions sent a letter to the president, asking him to dismiss Dmitry Livanov, and this position was verbally supported by the party of power. We would like to discuss this issue again,” Melnikov said.

“And we will certainly address all issues related to elections,” he added.

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