Putin’s address is declarative – expert Pavlovsky

File Photo of Vladimir Putin Speaking with Flag Behind Him and Microphones in Front

MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) – Political expert Gleb Pavlovsky has mixed feelings about the state-of-the-nation address President Vladimir Putin presented at the parliament on Wednesday. He thinks the address is inertial.

“The address does not contain fresh ideas; it is inertial, which means it is based on the principle “we have done this and that and we will carry on this work,” he told Interfax.

He does not think the address sends a clear message of the fight against corruption in the high places either.

“The country has a problem of corruption in the authorities, but Putin did not send a message of purifying the authorities although many had expected him to do that,” he said.

There are a number of positive aspects in the address, Pavlovsky added.

“The return to the mixed system in the election of the State Duma has its cons and pros but it is good that the theme will be debated. It is bad this has not been done before,” he said.

Igor Yurgens, Institute of Contemporary Development President, thinks that “every sober-minded person will find something to one’s liking” in the presidential address.

“Every idea is filtered by specialists, who have drafted this address, and they are very knowledgeable people. Vladimir Putin must have made a contribution to the address. Basically, the address contains many progressive ideas, among them the mixed system of the State Duma election; there are people who do not want to join parties but who actively take part in regional life; besides, there is an idea to elect senators, and this is a very progressive step,” Yurgens told Interfax.

At the same time, no one in the world questions Russia’s sovereignty, he added.

“No one in the world calls Russia’s sovereignty into question, and claims of interference in internal affairs of our country are largely exaggerated. Concerning the idea of no-return to totalitarianism, it is a very sharp and good idea and I believe in it. Basically, totalitarianism is impossible in a country with open borders,” the political expert said.

Another political expert, Sergei Mikheyev, told Interfax that the main provisions of the address were topical.

“Concerning the no-return to totalitarianism, I think this is Putin’s response to the fears expressed by his ill-wishers. It is impossible to return to totalitarianism even technically under modern conditions,” he said.

The question of prevention of external interference in Russian affairs is topical, Mikheyev said. “Energetic integration with Kazakhstan and Belarus is underway, and foreign interference, such as a ‘color revolution’, in one of these countries will immediately halt or freeze integration processes. So, this is a very important problem,” he said.

Mikheyev is hesitant about possible restoration of the mixed system of State Duma elections.

“Debates started a long time. The system has both cons and pros. On one hand, territories will have their interests represented directly at the State Duma, but plenty of dubious people found their way to the State Duma through single-seat electoral districts in the 1990s. Yet the opinion may be considered and the system may be restored,” he said.

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