Medvedev to make final state-of-the-nation address
December 22nd, 2011 - 4:41 am ICT by IANSMoscow, Dec 22 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will Thursday deliver his last state-of-the-nation address to the federal assembly, an official said.
In his speech, Medvedev will focus on specific steps aimed at modernising the national political system, said a Kremlin administration official.
“President Dmitry Medvedev will set out a set of specific initiatives aimed at improving the political system. It’s the Duma’s task to thoroughly consider and discuss them and if they agree on these initiatives, to back them with laws,” the official said.
Medvedev has said Russia’s political system had “exhausted itself” and should be changed. The details of those changes are expected to be spelled out in his address.
His speech before the newly elected parliament will be closely watched for any possible government response to nationwide street protests that have drawn out thousands of people since the allegedly fraud-tainted Dec 4 parliamentary polls.
Realising the threat posed by one of the largest post-Soviet show of popular discontent, the president and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have promised political reforms.
Putin said he would support easing registration rules for political parties and the return of direct elections for governors, which he abolished years ago, although he did say he would personally “filter” all candidates.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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