Putin Invited the Opposition to Present a Positive Program

The opposition should not only criticize the authorities, but also provide people with a positive program, President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with TASS. “It is not enough scolding the authorities in order to convince the voter that it [the opposition] is exactly they needed. It is imperative to present a positive program,” the head of state said. According to him, although criticism is necessary, it is not enough for effective development of the country. Thus, Putin commented on the mass protests that took place in Moscow in the summer of 2019. Demonstrators opposed the prohibition of independent candidates for elections to the Moscow City Duma. According to various sources, from 1074 to 1373 people were detained at one of the actions, which took place on July 27 and was not authorized by the authorities. After her, cases were opened about the riots and the use of violence against law enforcement officers.