Medvedev urges United Russia members to participate in political debates

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev urged United Russia members to more actively participate in political debates. "The most important thing from the point of view of political debates is participation in them," leader of the United Russia Party stated at a meeting with regional Party officials in Yakutsk on Tuesday. "Our Party sometimes underestimates this element. We assume that we're "tough" as it is, that we're capable of proving to people – through our various opportunities and our deeds – that it's not for nothing that we take a place under the sun." During federal election campaigns, United Russia candidates often refuse to participate in debates. The prime minister stressed that in order to achieve a victory, politicians need to be directly involved in debates and have direct contact with the population.