Putin: Surkov will oversee GLONASS

Former first deputy head of the presidential administration Vladislav Surkov as Deputy Prime Minister will oversee the GLONASS, science and healthcare project. According to RIA Novosti, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said about this at a meeting with Surkov. "We will continue the work that you did earlier. In the part regarding modernization, I would ask you to engage in such high -tech projects as GLONASS, and expand this work for education, science, healthcare. To develop this complex, give it a more modern, innovative nature," Putin said.

On December 27, Surkov, who for many years was responsible for domestic policy in the Kremlin, was appointed Deputy Prime Minister for modernization. The new appointment was announced by President Dmitry Medvedev. "A few years ago, when the modernization commission was created, Surkov was engaged very seriously by these topics. I believe that you should take these topics within the executive branch," Medvedev said. “This work is very interesting to me,” Surkov said.

Surkov said he himself asked for a new appointment. “For a long time, I asked the leadership to give me the opportunity to start a new life since the New Year. It was understood, for which many thanks,” Surkov said. "I hope I did not fail my employers and my colleagues. Democracy was preserved, repaired and acts on December 22 transferred to the operating mode. I hope it will successfully pass the upcoming tests," the former first deputy head of the administration said.

When asked about whether he intends to participate in any domestic political projects, Surkov answered no. He added that "too odious for a beautiful new world." “Stabilization devours its children,” Surkov added. “In fact, I worked in this post all conceivable terms. I have never worked for so long anywhere. In my opinion, you can’t stay in one place, this is harmful to both personalities and business,” Surkov said. According to him, he does not consider his new position to be correct to consider it as an increase or decrease in a service ladder. “For me, this is a new interesting job,” Surkov explained.

On December 22, when the candidacy of the head of the presidential administration was still discussed, Kommersant’s source said that the new leader will be appointed “with the sight” to Vladimir Putin, in connection with which this post “definitely does not shine either to Vladislav Surkov, with whom Putin will not work, nor Igor Sechin.” “The head of the administration will be Naryshkin -2. That is, a weak leader, but at the same time from the near circle of Putin,” the interlocutor of the publication said then.

On December 23, before the rally on Sakharov Avenue, Surkov gave a great interview to Izvestia, in which he stated that "to give in the rational requirements of the active part of society - the obligation and constitutional duty of power." “The best part of our society, or rather, its most productive part requires respect for ourselves. People say - we are, we have a meaning, we are people. We cannot arrog the arrogantly from their opinion. And it is very correct that this opinion is taken into account, that there is a benevolent reaction of the authorities ... to give in the rational requirements of the active part of society - not forced maneuver of power, but its obligation and constitutional duty,” said Surkov.

"The system has already changed. This is the failed fact - see the results of the elections to the Duma, look at the rally on Bolotnaya, look at the discussion on the network, see the" direct line "of the prime minister December 15, see the President’s message. It remains only to issue these changes legally and technically," said Surkov.