Putin says “talented, smart people” will emerge in opposition

VLADIVOSTOK. Oct 7 (Interfax) – People of action alone can become leaders in Russia. The skill of being loudly critical is not enough, President Vladimir Putin said in a film, shown on the Central Television program of NTV television on Sunday.

“The unessential will be brushed away in a natural way, and original and smart people will emerge and assume responsibility for certain areas, for certain aspects of public life and probably for the entire nation,” Putin said.

Asked by TV host Vladimir Takmenyov to speak about Alexei Navalny and other Russian opposition leaders, Putin said, “If a person claims the role of a leader, in whatever field, he must do something to prove his efficiency.”

“It is one thing criticizing, even fairly, and quite another proposing a constructive agenda,” the Russian president said.

“I am not rejecting anyone and I do not want to denigrate the strong points of any of the possible opposition leaders. But besides the hustle and bustle, and the desire to impress, one has to do something and to demonstrate his positive potential. Only afterwards can one claim the role of a leader, wherever. There are many people there claiming the leading role, but ‘society’ has the final say,” Putin said.