Komsomolskaya Pravda: “Vladimir Putin: “Should I carry a log like Lenin did?”
The prime minister put this question to the audience at a United Russia party interregional conference in Cherepovets.
Vladimir Putin spoke for over an hour and a half. However his speech did not touch on political issues as many expected. Right from the start, the United Russia party leader chose to focus on social and economic matters. The applause heard from time to time was all that marked the event out as a party conference rather than a government meeting. One example of this was when Putin announced:
"Our party is in for a significant renewal in the State Duma – nearly half, or perhaps even more, will be renewed. However we must not lose those who have proved that they can work for the good of the country. Party agencies and the government will take this into account."
The prime minister then turned to economic issues:
"We estimate that the country's GDP this year will be 4% higher. It means that by the beginning of 2012 our economy will have compensated for the recession in full..."
Putin made the following comment:
"Russia will get there before many other countries with their so-called market economy."
The prime minister reconfirmed that no matter what, Russia will not turn its back on its social obligations to its people. As confirmation of this, he put forward the example of the rise in teachers' salaries in September.
"This won't be just in theory," said the prime minister, "but right in their purses!"
Putin often veered away from his main points, making references to topical issues in the media (did he bring newspaper clippings with him, perhaps?). For example, he quelled the media furore about the botched state defence contract with the following:
"I hope this process will be finalised shortly – the Ministry of Defence and the suppliers must come to an agreement about the state defence contract."
Nor did Putin neglect to mention the long list of children waiting for operations and indeed the fact that quotas for children had run out:
"Children should not be waiting for operations. As our old tradition goes – children come first."
A representative of the campaign against rubbish asked Putin to show similar support for the country-wide clean up.
"Should I carry a log from here to there like Lenin?" Putin replied jokingly. He promised to do all that was necessary to support the campaign.
The famous pediatrician Leonid Roshal said:
"You have brightened up my mood today. All I read in the newspapers is that this or that is not being done properly, or worse, not being done at all. But today I have listened to the people and I see there is a lot of good being done. The country is moving forward!"
Other comments from Putin were as follows:
On roads:
"Our task is to double the volume of the road construction in Russia. Since 2002 we have already spent 2.3 trillion roubles on this and we are allocating more than 8.3 trillion roubles over the course of the next few years."
On grants for rural doctors:
"We propose to offer grants of 1 million roubles to young doctors who are willing to work in village areas on the condition that the doctor will work there for a minimum of five years."
On mortgages for teachers:
"I propose to set up special mortgages for young teachers. These shall include lower rates – not 12% or 14% as they are now, but 8% – and the lowest possible down payment – not the usual 20%, but 10%. There shouldn't be any restrictions based on salary. Many regions could help with the down payment. I speak about young specialists under 35."
On medication for those on benefits:
"The government has decided to allocate 2.3 billion roubles to the regions for the purchase of medication for those on benefits. The funds will be transferred this year to ensure this measure will be in place by January 2012."
Alexander Gamov
