VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Vladimir Putin: Good evening, Mr Zhirinovsky. Everyone is on vacation, what about you?
Vladimir Zhirinovsky: I've been working, of course. I've been on visits to different regions the whole year long - because of the elections. We have a great amount of issues to address.
Vladimir Putin: But there are always some MPs in the Duma, even during vacation.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky: Yes, there are. Still, some MPs are in the regions now. They're getting ready for the autumn elections and elections to the bodies of self-government. Three thousand mandates are at stake. They have no time to rest. We have introduced amendment to the corresponding law (such amendments allow State Duma parties to work in the regions that have no deputies in the State Duma, and also open their reception offices there). The amendment was adopted at the first reading. Perhaps in September it will finally be adopted.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Zhirinovsky, in my view this amendment must be passed, because we have far more regions than the number of LDPR and KPRF MPs. It doesn't mean that the members of your party have no right to work in all the regions. We must provide equal opportunities to all parties for work in all the regions of the Russian Federation - regardless of the number of MPs they have in the State Duma.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky: And they should also take more responsibility for what they do.
Vladimir Putin: I agree completely. This position must be supported.
And what are the future priorities, in your opinion? I mean the matters the Duma must pay attention to, rather than pure political activity.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky: Addressing land issues, distribution of plots of land - at a reduced price, and even at the market price. At the expense of free territories at least. I would also raise the question of building private housing.
Second, the state must take a closer look at housing-related issues. Connection to electricity, water supply systems and gas - all these issues should be addressed promptly.
And agriculture, of course. We have to struggle against monopolies. Food prices are soaring, it's no secret. And certain volumes of foodstuffs are used to produce biofuel.
Vladimir Putin: I'd like to mention that as to housing matters, yesterday I had a meeting with colleagues and gave an instruction: by September 15 they will have introduced proposals about what we can do together with the regions to develop housing infrastructure at a better rate. I suppose this issue will have priority.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky: Yes, this work should be done without delay.
Vladimir Putin: And there is one more point - the budget.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky: The budget, yes, there are questions here too. The regions have got enough money. The main thing is that they should spend it properly.
