Moskovsky Komsomolets: "No Pre-Term Elections for Russia"
Natalya Galimova
The Prime Minister and his Cabinet are "doing relevant work"
Very few questions concerning politics were asked during Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's question and answer session, while his subsequent interview with the press revolved around political matters.
Moskovsky Komsomolets asked how he evaluated the Government's work during the crisis, whether the Prime Minister was considering any major personnel decisions, and whether he admitted the possibility of resigning. "I don't think there is a need to do anything of the kind. I have never in my life fled from problems or responsibility. This time is no exception: I choose to stay and fight. I expect all my colleagues to do the same. I also don't think it is advisable to threaten to fire any Cabinet ministers or other Government members," Mr Putin replied. As for Cabinet work during the crisis, he said: "Their actions have been relevant to the dangers Russia faces."
A BBC correspondent asked about prospects for a pre-term presidential election in Russia. As Moskovsky Komsomolets wrote previously, such rumours started after President Dmitry Medvedev said it was necessary to prolong the presidential term to six years. Many saw this as a hint at an early election in which Mr Putin might run.
Though the BBC question was in English, the Prime Minister understood it - he had evidently brushed up on his English. "Strange as it may seem, this question interests foreign journalists more than their Russian colleagues," he remarked. Mr Putin was wrong here - by mere coincidence, a Western journalist asked about pre-term elections for a second time. The first question had come from a Finnish journalist. Mr Putin's first answer did not disprove the rumour but, on the contrary, stirred up speculation. This time, he gave a far more detailed reply: "I would like to note that President Medvedev and I have established a very good tandem. We have worked together for many years, and I am very happy about our effective cooperation." As for the election, "The next elections in the Russian Federation will take place in 2012. There is no need to fuss about it."
He said he had started preparing for the session the day before. The next question was: "How come the head of the Government now uses this format of addressing the nation?" It was asked because previous Russian Prime Ministers had never had such sessions, which were instead a presidential prerogative. Mr Putin replied, "The reason is that only the Chairman of the United Russia party can be addressed through the party's public reception offices."
He also made an enigmatic remark: "If one just sits thinking of how everything is going down, nothing will ever come up again." Sounds like a riddle, doesn't it? Here is an explanation: Mr Putin was referring to his popularity.
