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First three on United Russia's list could include rank-and-file - Gryzlov
United Russia's list of candidates, including the top three, to the State Duma is being drawn, said Boris Gryzlov, party leader and Chairman of the Russian State Duma.
"This issue is being discussed. The top three will include people well-known in this country. I do not exclude that they could turn out not to be members of United Russia's leadership," Gryzlov said in an interview with Interfax on Wednesday.
He gave no hint as to who the three might be. "I will maintain the suspense for now," he said.
Gryzlov publicly stated earlier that the leading three could include himself, as the party leader, and member of its supreme council and Minister of Emergency Situations Sergei Shoigu.
For the first time in Russian politics United Russia has made a decision to hold internal elections, thus creating a reserve of personnel. "This process is under way at regional [party] branches, and results of sociological surveys in the regions are considered," he said.
The results of these internal elections will seriously influence the composition of the party's regional lists in parliamentary elections.
Gryzlov confirmed that broad consultations are being held at every level. “There is no doubt that we are in consultation and will continue to consult with the president including on issues of personnel,” he said.
The decision as to whether a governor will be allowed to head a United Russia election list in his region will depend on a range of considerations, including the personal opinion of the head of the constituent territory, said Boris Gryzlov, party leader and chairman of the Russian State Duma.
"There are no final lists yet, there are no final decisions from the heads of the regions. The decisions will be made after we receive the results of internal party elections, and they will be based on the participation of the head of the region in party life and the success of the socioeconomic development of the constituent territory," Gryzlov said in an interview with Interfax on Wednesday.
The party will seek support from all governors in its election campaign, Gryzlov said. "The inclusion of governors in the list is not the goal of the party," he said.
"United Russia has over 1.5 million members, and the governor is not the only well-known and respected person in the region," he said.
Gryzlov refused to comment on media reports suggesting that a "black list" of heads of regions United Russia will not include in its election lists exists. "I would not comment on rumors, and such lists in the media are only rumors," he said.
If a governor’s name is not included in the election list, that does not mean that his resignation is imminent, Gryzlov said.
“These issues are in the competence of the Russian president. As for United Russia, our goal is not to include all heads of regions in the list of candidates to the State Duma,” he said. “Non-inclusion in the list does not mean lack of trust from the party,” Gryzlov said.
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