Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Gryzlov, it is my understanding that the Russian Popular Front is working very actively. We have spoken about this, and I would like to ask you to work more closely in overseeing United Russia’s efforts to organise the work of public organisations – youth and women’s movements – around itself. This will assert United Russia’s status as a political force, through which proposed ideas and people will be able to find their place in institutions of state authority and administrative agencies, and so that people submitting proposals feel that they are surrounded by like-minded people and friends. We don't want some kind of behind-the-scenes, bureaucratic struggle. We want all proposals received by the Front to be examined closely.  We need to select the best ideas, the most promising proposals and the most ambitious and worthy individuals.

Boris Gryzlov: This is a very important stage, where candidates are being nominated for nationwide primaries. On June 16, we decided on the regulations for primaries. At that time, we allotted two weeks for this stage. But July 1 came, and the number of applications continued to increase with each passing day. In all, we have received 4,500 applications from potential candidates. In 2007, we received 1,700 applications. And now the number of applications is still increasing every day. These applications are submitted to the Coordinating Council.

Vladimir Putin: But this platform did not exist in the past.

Boris Gryzlov: Of course. We have already extended the deadline for submitting these applications by a week. I suggest that we extend the deadline until July 20, as their number will probably exceed 5,000. In effect, there will be ten candidates per seat on our ticket. This is the figure that we have in mind.

Preliminary nationwide primaries could begin July 21. It's very possible that we will be able to accomplish this objective.

I’m happy to note that even representatives of the State Duma’s opposition parties are submitting their applications as individuals. There are such candidates from the Russian Communist Party in the Sverdlovsk Region, from A Just Russia Party in the Kirov Region and from the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia in the Chelyabinsk Region. These candidates exist…

Vladimir Putin: As I see it, everybody submitting these proposals to us should be treated with respect. There is nothing unusual about this. It’s perfectly normal that an individual member of a party or political movement reassesses his or her stance, believing that their proposals could be duly appreciated and translated into reality by the United Russia party. It seems to me that what's important is not this aspect, but that we should look into the essence of such proposals.

Boris Gryzlov: Of course. As of today, 58% of applications have been received from public organisations, 38% from the United Russia Party and 4% from individuals who have offered themselves as candidates in the primaries. The break-down shows that parties and public organisations are taking this issue very seriously. More and more public organisations, corporate employees and individuals affiliated with the Front want to take part in this process. It is very important that they make specific proposals for the programme now, without making speeches in front of large audiences.

Vladimir Putin: Actually, this is the most important thing. Good, that’s agreed. In that case, we'll extend the deadline until…

Boris Gryzlov: Until July 20.

Vladimir Putin: Until July 20. Agreed.