MOSCOW, January 23. /ITAR-TASS/. Deputies of the United Russia faction in the State Duma might withdraw candidates they had earlier suggested for the post of the Russian ombudsperson and support Ella Pamfilova instead, one of the United Russia deputies nominated for the ombudsman's post, Nikolai Bulayev, told Itar-Tass on Thursday.
Earlier in the day President Putin had approved the candidacy of Ella Pamfilova for the post of Russia's new ombudsperson. Pamfilova is to replace the outgoing ombudsman, Vladimir Lukin, whose term in office expires in February.
"When discussing potential candidates for the ombudsperson's post we proceeded from the assumption that a representative of the faction, which has a majority in parliament and has strong powers, is not quite an appropriate figure for the post of the ombudsperson," Bulayev said. "Now that a real candidate was named, who is a professional and has a good previous record in public service to occupy this post, I think the United Russia faction might consider the withdrawal of its previous candidatures," Bulayev said, adding it was his own point of view. "I believe that under such circumstances it is no longer necessary for me to compete," he said.
Asked whether the United Russia faction would support the candidacy of Ella Pamfilova, Bulayev said the problem had not been discussed yet. "I have known Ella Pamfilova for a long time. There is a good chance that the United Russia faction will approve Pamfilova; many in the faction will support her," Bulayev told Itar-Tass.