| Politicians comment on the president's decision Alexander ZHUKOV, first vice-speaker of the State Duma from the United Russia faction:
“I think the president made a good choice.” Fradkov is an experienced person, economist, lawyer, not associated with any forces, independent, has proven himself well in the European community. I have known Fradkov for a very long time, since the mid-80s, we worked together at Vneshtorg. Together we worked on reforming foreign economic relations. I can only say positive things about him. I think within a week the entire composition of the cabinet of ministers will be known. The structure of government will change. Ministers will play a more significant role in decision-making, and the government apparatus will be reduced. I do not rule out that the number of deputy prime ministers will also be reduced. In general, the policy of the new cabinet of ministers will be aimed at developing market relations and liberalizing the economy.
Oleg MOROZOV, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma from the United Russia faction:
-- The President named three components that, in his opinion, should be present in a candidate for prime minister: professionalism, integrity and organizational and administrative experience. From his point of view, Mikhail Fradkov possesses all these qualities. Of course, the candidate is unexpected, because we are accustomed to always looking for prospects for personnel appointments in what is obvious and lies on the surface. Putin surprisingly tried to break the party tradition of personnel work. Fradkov is really not a party person.
Nikolai KHARITONOV, deputy of the Communist Party faction, candidate for President of Russia:
— Mikhail Fradkov is a little-known person in Russia. Its formation is based on foreign trade, and today we need to direct our actions inside Russia. With this appointment, President Putin once again confirmed his unpredictability. I think that Mikhail Fradkov will be the nominal chairman of the government, but in fact it will be led by Putin. I don’t know how our faction will vote. According to the Duma tradition, the Kremlin matchmakers will bring the candidate to the Duma, where he will not bypass the Communist Party faction. We will look at each other, and the faction will decide how to vote after the review. As for the electoral effect, I think that this step will not add 10-15% of votes to Putin in the elections, but will subtract it if they are not retained by prohibited methods.
Vladimir ZHIRINOVSKY, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma from the LDPR faction:
- We proceed from the fact that this person is now abroad and all his work is related to foreign trade. Under Soviet rule, I was close to this area. There were mostly crooks there. Now it's gotten even worse. I personally contacted Mikhail Efimovich eight years ago and proposed a good project for the development of foreign trade in the Pacific region. He killed all my projects. Then he was in the tax police, who stole without doing anything. Then he was in the Security Council - a swamp, a septic tank. Then he went abroad. He does not know the situation in the country. All departments where he worked caused damage to the economy of our country.
Sergei GLAZYEV, head of the Rodina faction in the State Duma, candidate for President of Russia:
- I know Mikhail Fradkov as a good and decent person. I once worked with him at the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, and I remember him as a qualified specialist. But at the same time, this appointment indicates the continuation of Putin’s personnel policy of appointing people who will not make independent decisions. In all key positions, Putin has placed people who will not take a single step without his consent. Recorded by Ksenia VERETENNIKOVA |
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