TRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Russian Popular Front conference

(Kremlin.ru – December 5, 2013)

Vladimir Putin took part in a conference, the Action Forum, organised by the Russian Popular Front. Conference participants discussed key issues concerning the implementation of the main presidential policy lines in healthcare, the economy, housing and utilities, education and culture.

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN: Good afternoon, dear friends. I am glad to be able to welcome you to the Russian Popular Front conference.

I just heard in detail about how discussions went in different forums, discussions about the economy in general, the social sphere, healthcare and pension reform. I know that these discussions were quite energetic, tough, meaningful, and that a lot of suggestions were made.

I consider it very important that events like today’s and yesterday’s are being held at precisely this time, because as you know we are preparing the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly. And it is very important to hear what you are devoting attention to, what worries the Russian Popular Front and those who work in these forums, and what suggestions you have.

Actually, a fundamental idea behind the Russian Popular Front was to create the conditions for citizens and various social and professional groups to participate directly in setting a national agenda. The idea was that people should have the opportunity to set the authorities various tasks, and to ensure their implementation.

What did I want to note at the beginning of our conversation? Six months ago, at our founding congress, we created a broad social movement: the Popular Front for Russia. This movement is ready to take responsibility for solving the most difficult problems and, indeed, the discussions I just mentioned bear witness to this. The Front is ready to take responsibility for implementing our general programme using the mechanisms of direct democracy and by ensuring that citizens participate in our country’s life. I am grateful to you, dear friends and colleagues, for taking on this work without hesitation. Certainly, this position generates a positive response from our citizens.

I would also like to thank my authorised representatives, who are present in this room. I know that many of you are involved in developing the Russian Popular Front federal and regional structures, and some simply interact with the movement in different instances.

The main thing is not formalities, but that the Front and authorised representatives continue to act as a team, because naturally we all share the same goal. I should add that initiatives of Russian Popular Front members, their insistence and persistence, have forced all levels of authority to move forward, to get active, and to operate faster and more efficiently. Not simply to pretend, but actually to listen to public opinion. This is an extremely important thing, and I can assure you that it is being felt in the so-called corridors of power.

In this regard it is revelatory that the process of taking administrative and economic decisions has become more open. And the public discussion of many important issues, something initiated and organised by the Russian Popular Front, played an important role in this respect.

I would single out the work of our representatives within the State Duma. Deputies from the Russian Popular Front have already achieved [the adoption of] legislative amendments, amendments that are important for millions of our citizens. And to do this they sometimes had to argue with the authorities ­ I know this very well ­ with colleagues not only from opposition parties but also from the majority faction. If you are convinced you are right, you must continue, as happens today, to firmly defend your position.

The assets of the Russian Popular Front include a number of public initiatives with far-reaching effects, including the Internet project, For Fair Procurements. This project did not take a populist turn, but rather became a working mechanism for social oversight of state procurement orders and the fight against corruption.

I know that you plan to establish effective public oversight in a field such as road repairs. This is an extremely important thing! Strictly speaking, the initiators of this movement joined the Russian Popular Front after they had already garnered some practical experience in this area.

What I would like to emphasise? For a broad social movement such as the Front there are no minor problems. Because behind every seemingly private matter, behind each of these issues there is concrete human life, the fate of entire regions, and real situations in particular towns or villages. And of course indifference to this is absolutely unacceptable.

Therefore, the Russian Popular Front must continue to use all possibilities and measures to restore justice if it has been infringed, and to protect people’s interests and rights. You must act as an example of citizens who actively participate in our country’s life, and serve as an example for our entire society.

Dear friends, I am sure that the Russian Popular Front will evolve, and more of our representatives will actively assert themselves not only through public activities, but also within government structures. I would point out that our political system has become more open and competitive, that opportunities for new, bright people to enter politics are expanding, and that demands on candidates themselves to participate in all levels of government are increasing.

The importance of elections in single-member constituencies is rising. Here people can see who votes honestly, who expresses their position openly, and who achieves what they promised during the election campaign. And we must prove that we have the right to represent citizens’ interests by remaining in direct contact with them.

You need to be with people and take on their interests. Of course, it is possible to do this through the instruments of the Russian Popular Front. I am sure that all those who have meaningful ideas, who intend to solve problems in towns, cities, regions, and in the entire country, will be able to adequately express themselves during election campaigns, and become real people’s deputies.

Again I would urge you to communicate as much as possible with citizens, to obtain feedback on how our plans are being implemented, and what is preventing them from being implemented, especially on location.

Precisely here there is a great space for citizens’ initiatives, for their participation in the lives of their cities and towns. And we need to develop and support these initiatives. I am referring to the realisation of social volunteer projects and other forms of civic participation. And of course, we have to involve in our work talented, professionally trained people, activists who have proven their worth at the level of local government.

It is important that Russia’s human capital increases, and for as many as possible bright, energetic people to participate in the development of their regions and the entire country. And, as I already said, to participate in implementing our overall programme, which reflects the interests and aspirations of the majority of our citizens.

Thank you very much for your attention.

We can discuss the topics which prompted our gathering; I know that yesterday you already did so very actively with various levels of authority, and especially with the Government.

Thank you.

[featured image is file photo from past event]