Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is ready for a transparent presidential election as an accurate gauge of his support among Russians.
“I am ready for transparency. One can work at such a level when he has the real trust and support of Russians. Then one can implement everything that he has planned. But if there is no support, better not touch it. And it is really important to realize what this support is. I want our election to be transparent and honest,” he said.
Putin reaffirmed that he is for a free, fair and transparent presidential election in March, even if it results in his defeat.
“If our citizens entrust the country, Russia, entrust its security, economic development to someone else, so be it. Let him work,” Putin said at the meeting with the heads and editors-in-chief of Russian media.
Putin said he was ready for dialogue with his counterparts, including the parties not represented in the State Duma, the so-called non-systemic opposition. “There will be opponents saying that the election was unfair. We will respect them and they should respect the opinion of majorities. We are ready for discussion, including with the non-systemic opposition.”
