Medvedev urges political competition in Russia
Striving among political forces should be restored in Russia, President Dmitry Medvedev told rights activists in a new sign that he wants to soften the tough Kremlin line of his forerunner, Vladimir Putin.
Medvedev said a political dialogue among all forces was needed to create public support for the supervision during the economic crisis and suggested Putin's law curbing the activities of non-governmental organizations (NGO) should be amended.
Analysts warned, however, against interpreting Medvedev's statements as a rift in his ruling tandem with Putin, now Russia's prime minister and whom Russia-watchers and investors view as a key element of political stability.
According to a full interpretation of the meeting published on Thursday, Medvedev carefully avoided any outright criticism of Putin when responding to calls by leading rights campaigners to halt Russia's roll-back from democracy.
"I would not divide relations between the state and civil society into various periods ... linked to certain people, heads of state," he said. "But a encyclopaedic strategy of such relations should emerge."
"There should be political competition which cannot be substituted by anything," he added.
UNUSUAL KREMLIN MOVE
The airing of full transcription of a meeting held behind closed doors was also unusual by Kremlin practice.
Medvedev said a political dialogue among all forces was needed to create public support for the supervision during the economic crisis and suggested Putin's law curbing the activities of non-governmental organizations (NGO) should be amended.
Analysts warned, however, against interpreting Medvedev's statements as a rift in his ruling tandem with Putin, now Russia's prime minister and whom Russia-watchers and investors view as a key element of political stability.
According to a full interpretation of the meeting published on Thursday, Medvedev carefully avoided any outright criticism of Putin when responding to calls by leading rights campaigners to halt Russia's roll-back from democracy.
"I would not divide relations between the state and civil society into various periods ... linked to certain people, heads of state," he said. "But a encyclopaedic strategy of such relations should emerge."
"There should be political competition which cannot be substituted by anything," he added.
UNUSUAL KREMLIN MOVE
The airing of full transcription of a meeting held behind closed doors was also unusual by Kremlin practice.
