Putin’s message indicates determination to continue old course – Communist Party

MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) – First Deputy Chairman of the Communist Party Central Committee and State Duma vice speaker Ivan Melnikov did not hear anything fundamentally new in President Vladimir Putin’s message to the Federal Assembly.

“Judging by the document as a whole, I must say that one and the same idea is repeated year after year – the stage of restoration and strengthening is over, a new stage is under way when we are to be building, making efforts and advancing. But in reality this is not happening, the vampire of capitalism is bleeding the country and all its healthy forces,” Melnikov said to Interfax.

At the same time, if the style of the message is taken, Melnikov said he was greatly surprised. “Unusually short, with a limited number of figures, extremely limited details of mechanisms to implement any specific plans, virtually no foreign policy section,” he said.

“The message was sooner more like a list of strategic goals with a strong emotional component, the presentation of a chart of values of the country’s leadership at the current stage of development of the state and society,” Melnikov said.

At the same time, he spoke favorably of the opinion expressed in the message that “work for oneself has its limits.” “The conflict between private and public, selfishness and collectivism. It is important that the issue of the loss of ideals, morality and responsibly was raised in detail.

Proper words were said about the work of teachers, about the importance of regional colleges for the development of the territories, about the need for urgent support for intellectuals, about the importance of supporting the industries that will help revive the real sector of the economy,”
he said.

He noted that practically everyone understands that these and many other problems are a consequence of the policies pursued by the incumbent authorities.

“Only a person knowing very little about politics does not understand that most of the social holes which the country has found itself in were dug by the actions of the ruling elite. This is the consequence of the antisocial course of many years,” he added.

In Melnikov’s opinion, the message gave a signal that the incumbent authorities are determined to continue their old course. “The bows made today to the so-called modern market economy, the coming new wave of privatization, stimulating business as a panacea against all trouble confirm the Kremlin’s loyalty to liberal tools,” he added.

Melnikov saw a serious contradiction “in the president’s proposal to treat social ailments with liberal medicines.” “An allegedly more left-wing social course is being proclaimed with a more right-wing financial and economic policy. This combination is paradoxical to say the least and a dead end in the worst case,” the deputy said.

As for political proposals, Melnikov singled out as interesting the presidential proposal to give Duma deputies and Federation Council members the right to legislative initiative in regional parliaments.

“One should also agree with the ideas that concern public service, primarily the transparency of the material status of all government officials,” he added.