MOSCOW, September 30. /TASS/. Lawmakers of the State Duma – Russia’s lower house of parliament – must recognize their enormous responsibility to those who voted for them, President Vladimir Putin said addressing the first meeting of the 9th Duma.
He stressed that, unlike some others, Russia would not run around the world begging for handouts with an outstretched hand.
Putin also said that the country must and will meet all its social obligations to citizens in full.
TASS has compiled the Russian leader’s key statements.
Work of State Duma lawmakers
Citizens’ active participation in the recent State Duma elections and the results of the campaign once again demonstrated the unity of Russian society in the face of major historical challenges: "I want to reiterate that both the high turnout and the election results once again confirmed the strength of our multiparty political system and the unity of the people in the face of historical challenges."
Key decisions for the country will be adopted in the State Duma with the consolidated support of all parties and lawmakers: "I certainly expect that in the new convocation, too, decisions that are crucial for the country and our people will be made with the united, consolidated support of all parliamentary parties and lawmakers, because we are all like-minded people and comrades-in-arms in what matters most: our desire for the success, security and prosperity of our homeland."
State Duma lawmakers must recognize their enormous responsibility to those who voted for them: "This is serious and extensive work, but it is also, of course, an enormous responsibility to the people who voted for you."
Participants and veterans of the special military operation elected to the State Duma proved their devotion to Russia on the battlefield: "Participants and veterans of the special military operation received broad voter support – these are people who proved their unconditional devotion to the Motherland on the battlefield. I see them in this hall. I am confident that, by preserving the traditions of frontline brotherhood, they will strengthen and enhance the ranks of lawmakers."
The authorities must respond to society’s demands and needs, which determines their effectiveness: "Your attention must always be focused on improving our citizens’ living standards and quality of life. This includes employment, healthcare and education, the environment and culture – everything that matters to people. After all, the authorities’ effectiveness, including at the legislative level, is determined by how they respond to society’s demands and voters’ instructions."
United Russia bears increased responsibility as the majority faction in the State Duma: "I am confident that United Russia will continue to follow democratic principles, building dialogue with colleagues from other factions."
Government bodies must cooperate actively and improve the legislative framework to bring key areas of the country’s development to leading positions: "We need to work together to strengthen the country’s legislative framework and the advantages of national jurisdiction, moving step by step toward leadership in all key areas of development. We should act more boldly to remove outdated legal and regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship, breakthrough ideas and innovative scientific research."
Social obligations
Russia must and will meet its social obligations to citizens in full: "While maintaining macroeconomic stability, we must finance all national projects and federal programs. The state’s social obligations to our citizens must and certainly will be met in full."
A support system for special military operation fighters has already been established and is operating, but "it must continue to be improved."
Budget, economy
The country’s budget for the next three years must allocate sufficient funds to address demographic challenges and support families with children: "Sufficient funds should be allocated to address exceptionally important demographic challenges and improve the housing conditions and well-being of Russian families, especially those raising children."
When drafting budgets for the coming years, the authorities must focus on ensuring steady, long-term economic growth and launching a new investment cycle: "We must support our regions, their fiscal sustainability and tax base. We must also back overall economic development, steady and long-term growth, and the launch of a new investment cycle. Specialists and experts believe that the previous cycle has ended and many programs have been completed, so we need to provide fresh impetus."
The budget "must be balanced and realistic," while "destructive populism" must be ruled out during its consideration: "Mistakes are absolutely unacceptable, especially now."
"One of the key laws of your first fall session is the federal budget for the next three years. The budget package has been prepared by the government. These are crucial documents in which resources must be carefully calculated and our capabilities balanced against current priorities and strategic goals. While maintaining macroeconomic stability, all national projects and federal programs must be financed."
Russia, unlike some others, will not run around the world begging for handouts with an outstretched hand: "Russia, unlike some others – we will not point fingers – cannot run around the world humiliating itself by begging for handouts with an outstretched hand."
"The Russian financial system and economy are in a strong position. The main thing is to avoid any mistakes and approach the tasks in these critically important areas responsibly."
In an era of rapid technological development, Russia must remain "at the forefront of these changes": "We have all the capabilities, groundwork and domestic resources needed for this."
Regional development
A unified advanced development territory in the Far East and the Russian Arctic Zone must become operational on January 1, 2027.
Russian legislation must meet the demands of the times and look to the future to provide citizens with the best possible opportunities: "This means unlocking the enormous potential of the entire country: the Far East, Siberia, the Russian North, the central regions, Crimea, Donbass, the Caucasus and the Urals – every single region."
Donbass, Novorossiya
The first meeting of the 9th State Duma was held on a special day: "Exactly four years ago, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics and the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions became full-fledged constituent entities of Russia. I am pleased to congratulate you and all citizens of our country on Reunification Day."
The day marking the reunification of the historical regions with Russia has come to embody the righteous struggle of Russian people across the country, including Donbass and Novorossiya, for freedom and justice: "This holiday has come to embody our people’s unstoppable drive to restore historical unity and the righteous struggle of Russian people across the country, including residents of Donbass and Novorossiya, for freedom and justice."
No one can break or intimidate the Russian people: "It is symbolic that on the day of reunification [of the Donbass and Novorossiya regions with Russia], lawmakers from our four historical regions are beginning their work in the State Duma for the first time. <...> Their voters, who came to the polling stations, were not intimidated by shelling and threats and reaffirmed their choice. Once again, they proved that no one can break or intimidate our people."
All of Russia is now involved in implementing comprehensive development programs for Donbass and Novorossiya: "Russian constituencies are providing patronage assistance selflessly, sometimes at risk to their lives. I want to emphasize this in particular: this is not a figure of speech. Construction and utility workers, drivers and railway workers, teachers and medical personnel are doing their jobs while risking their lives, and public fundraising drives are being held."
The unity of Russian society will provide "reliable guarantees of the country’s security and sovereignty for generations to come": "That is how it will be; I am absolutely certain."