During the second day of the United Russia party congress its delegates will be discussing issues of the party’ s participation in drafting and fulfilment of the strategy of socio-economic development of Russia up to 2020.
President Vladimir Putin’s answer to a proposal to become the head of the country’s largest and most influential party is expected to be the main sensation of the congress on Tuesday. On Monday evening, the delegates unanimously introduced changes to the party charter that introduce the post of the party chairman. The post of chairman of the General Council is maintained – Boris Gryzlov who head United Russia since 2002 is most likely to take this post.
If Putin gives a positive answer the developments at the congress will go beyond the framework of the inter-party life. According to experts, such developments will not only considerably strengthen the influence of United Russia. “It will be a serious step of Russia’s approaching a normal democratic model, a party government,” political analyst Vyacheslav Nikonov is certain.
Boris Gryzlov has repeatedly said that United Russia will be able to ensure in full measure the continuity of the course of the current president and considers such scenario “an ideal variant.”
The strategy of the socio-economic development of Russia up to 2020 put forward by Vladimir Putin at the February meeting of the State Council is another important issue of the first post-election congress. This programme was discussed at a widely attended forum on Monday that preceded the congress opening. Thus the ruling party dropped the style of the “congress of winners” bravado. Entering the post-election political season the first United Russia preferred to form a priority agenda for a 12-year term and determine its role in the formation and development of the strategy figuring under the name “twenty-twenty.” In essence this concept is becoming a new party programme of United Russia. It is more than logical that its ideologist Vladimir Putin will head the development and fulfilment of this programme, believes the party leadership.
Taking part in the United Russia congress are almost 600 delegates from all constituent entities of the Russian Federation and over 1,500 guests. The huge number of journalists that have displayed interest in the congress testifies to the significance of the event. According to the United Russia press service, about 800 representatives of Russian and foreign mass media have been accredited at the congress – noticeably more than the congress delegates.
During the second day of the United Russia party congress its delegates will be discussing issues of the party’ s participation in drafting and fulfilment of the strategy of socio-economic development of Russia up to 2020.
