TRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Meeting with Government members

(Kremlin.ru – September 19, 2016)

[More detailed Russian version here kremlin.ru/events/president/news/52913]

The Government’s demographic and social policy priorities for 2017 and the upcoming three-year period were the main items on the agenda.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

Before we start our work today, I would like to say a few words about the results of the State Duma election, which took place yesterday, September 18. First of all, I want to thank our citizens who came to the polling stations, expressed their view on the developments in our country, and showed a responsible approach to affairs by coming to vote in the election.

United Russia, the ruling party and Russia’s leading political force, obtained a good result. Of course, we can ask ourselves, how is this possible given the big economic and social sector difficulties we have been facing and the drop in people’s real incomes? I think there are several factors here that merit our attention.

First, at a time of difficulties and many uncertainties and risks, people certainly choose stability and trust the country’s leading political force and the Government, which relies on United Russia’s support in the parliament. They are confident that we will act professionally in the interests of our country’s people.

The election result was also an expression of people’s reaction to attempts to exert foreign pressure on Russia, and to the threats, sanctions, and attempts to destabilise the situation in Russia from within.

What conclusions should we draw from this parliamentary election? First, in domestic policy, we must listen to all political parties and hear their message, including the parties that did not make it into the parliament. We must and will develop our country’s multi-party system and support civil society, including patriotically-inclined non-governmental organisations. In the economy and social policy, we must pursue a carefully considered and balanced policy of transformation that will raise effectiveness, change the economy’s structure, and increase the results of support we provide to people who genuinely need state assistance.

At the same time, we must under no circumstances heap the entire burden on ordinary people’s shoulders during these transformations. Our actions must not have even a hint of shock therapy. We must take into account not the average statistical figures, but the real circumstances and income levels of Russian families.

In foreign policy, we must follow a balanced policy of cooperation with all partners, without a shadow of aggression, but with unquestioned respect for our national interests and ensuring our country’s defence capability.

Let me say again that this election result is good, but it is without question an advance on the part of our people, and we now must live up to their expectations. I hope very much that the Government and the new parliament will act in consolidated fashion, combine their efforts and work towards the goals I just mentioned, above all in the interests of Russia’s people.

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