Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Fyodorov, you have extensive experience working with the federal and, most importantly, regional authorities. You used to be the governor of the Chuvash Republic, and you were a successful leader – I mean it. Much has been done for the development of the economy and social sphere in the region. Healthcare, education and other social issues were the areas of focus. There were some problems, as there always are, but they were effectively addressed.

Russia is on the cusp of a complex and lengthy election cycle.  The parliamentary elections come first in this cycle. You know about the idea of establishing the Russian Popular Front with equal representation of a large number of partners, including United Russia. The organising work is already in progress. However, I would very much like to see this work accompanied by the analysis of incoming proposals, some sort of intellectual support, including drafting the programme that the Popular Front and United Russia will use in December parliamentary elections.

You know that the government is working with expert groups on updating the programme for Russia’s development until 2020. These areas of work need to be brought together and completed. This is why we are setting up the Institute of Socio-Economic and Political Studies. The actual work has already begun. It should not be a large institution with too many functions or too much bureaucracy. I would very much like it to become an intellectual tool in our work. I would like you to lead it.

Nikolai Fyodorov: Thank you, Mr Putin, for your kind words and the confidence you have in my previous work and for the hopes that you put on me today. This is a very important mission not just for the party, but for the Popular Front. It’s of national importance, if I understand correctly the goals that you set for the institute and all of us.

I have already spoken with representatives of the Popular Front. They have their programme goals and objectives, including United Russia. If I understand you correctly, our goal, the institute’s goal, is to incorporate the Popular Front’s programme goals into a single election platform. As far as I understand, there are no first- or second-tier members of the Popular Front – everyone is equal. We understand the issue and I believe that we will solve it effectively.

There is another issue, a very important one, too. In addition to Strategy 2020, there are regional strategies presented by the federal districts, which are very interesting, solid and desired by the regions. I believe the goal of the institute will be to synchronise all these federal programmes involving billions and trillions of roubles with specific action plans focused on improving people’s lives in every town and village. We need to use the scientific and party approach to improving people’s lives, otherwise all these billions and trillions will be of no effect for the electorate and the country as a whole. This task is about connecting the strategic programmes with specific issues (courtyards, streets, roads, schools, hospitals) – just like you said. I believe that our institute will need to enlist the best experts from all over Russia to justify the hopes you have for us.

Vladimir Putin: The regional part is really important.

Nikolai Fyodorov: It’s the key part.

Vladimir Putin:  Key part, you’re absolutely right.