Komsomolskaya Pravda: "We will see a new Putin – Valentina Matvienko"
This was the opinion of the new speaker of the Federation Council of Russia yesterday.
Valentina Matvienko's first engagement as speaker of the Federation Council was to represent Russia at the inauguration of Alexander Ankvab, the newly elected President of Abkhazia. Matvienko was full of political statements.
First of all, the head of the parliament's upper house promised to lobby for the interests of Abkhazia in Russia and assured her audience that Russia would continue to uphold the republic's efforts at gaining international recognition.
Later, at a meeting with Ankvab, the Federation Council speaker announced that the council following the State Duma would ratify an agreement on a Russian military base in Abkhazia at their next meeting on September 28.
Matvienko said that Russia and Abkhazia are currently bound by 40 agreements.
"Abkhazia is an attractive region for investors and Russia seeks to expand its business presence in the republic," she said.
The journalists covering the visit wanted to hear the speaker's comments on Russia's domestic policy.
Matvienko replied that she supported Medvedev and Putin's decisions on the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. She believes these decisions are absolutely necessary at the present moment for the country's stability.
"Any major political change will not help to address the existing problems," Matvienko said. "For the next 10-20 years, Russia needs stability and steady development."
The speaker also noted that the statement had been made "in the right time and at the right place."
"It would be wrong to keep us in darkness any longer before the parliamentary and presidential elections. Everybody wanted to hear the answer to that pivotal question."
"We'll see a wise Putin," the speaker believes, "who has been through serious trials; a new Putin who will pursue the objectives he set for himself. In a tandem with the prime minister, he can reach them.
Matvienko believes that the fact that the decision was announced at the United Russia conference speaks for the party's growing authority.
"Despite any opposing opinions, can we honestly see any other political power that could take responsibility for ruling the country at this point? This does not mean that we have to accept the monopoly of a single party. But we need more time to shape our political system."
Matvienko thinks the people who are politically passive are in a sense responsible for the shortcomings of our political system.
"Most Russians are indifferent to politics. Even now, the majority of voters have not decided who they will support in the parliamentary elections."
Alexander Gamov
