Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday he believed that Russia is moving "straight towards democracy" and called on the opposition to take a more active part in the political process.
"The main political force - United Russia - should not just rule, it should demonstrate wisdom, tact and power," Medvedev said in an interview broadcast live on Russia's three main TV channels.
Opposition parties should also demonstrate their presence, he said. "If they are in opposition, it does not mean that they are cut away from social life."
The president also said local authorities should be more sensitive to citizens' needs, and called on them to use Internet more actively to monitor the situation in their regions.
MOSCOW, December 24 (RIA Novosti)