Interfax: Putin praises “liberalization” of Russian political system

(Interfax – November 20, 2013) Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised the liberalization of the Russian political system, the privately owned Russian television channel REN TV reported on 20 Nov on 20 November.

Speaking at a meeting with the leaders of parties not represented in the Duma in Moscow, Putin said that although some people complained about the large number of small parties, he believed the reform was a good thing
Putin said: “A huge number of small parties were created which are not viable. But there is a view that this was the right decision. It ensured that large segments of society that would have liked to be involved in political activities, but had never had a chance, got this opportunity.”

Putin mentioned “serious liberalization of party legislation” and said that “the experience of the latest elections in the regions in September showed that the liberalization played a positive role in the development of our political system”.

The Russian authorities do not intend to infringe on the rights of small political parties, Putin said and offered those present at the meeting to think how to ensure equal participation of all parties in the political process, Russian RIA Novosti reported.

“I agree that we need to ensure equal participation of all in political life,” Putin said in response to a suggestion by leader of the Republican Party of Russia – People’s Freedom Party Vladimir Ryzhkov, who had spoken in favor developing the political reforms.

“Volodya, we have no desire to oppress and harass,” Putin told Ryzhkov, addressing the latter by his informal name.

The president invited all “to think together on how not to make absurd our joint efforts in the party political legislation”.

Putin said: “There are 72 parties in Russia. I hear increasingly more often that the authorities have done this on purpose to discredit the political system, because not all parties are able to compete equally and it is impossible to ensure equal access to the media.”

According to Putin, “it is necessary to consider how to make the multi-party system stronger and avoid ‘window-dressing’, and ensure equal access”. Putin said solution to this issue should not be rushed.
The president did not agree with Ryzhkov that there were signs of a civil war in Russia. “The more often we use such terms, the more there will be problems. We should strive to ensure that all political forces avoid extreme language,” Putin said.