Vladimir Putin: As for the elections, it goes without saying that you must go vote. Of course, I hear different opinions on the matter. Some people say it is better to ignore the elections. These people are guided by a well-known formula – the worse it gets the better! But it is only better for those willing to fish in troubled waters, and for others it will be worse.

Why is it this way? It’s this way because the state must be well-oiled to ensure its effective operation, just like a ship’s engine, so that all of its parts and elements work smoothly. If one of its systems fails, the entire machine will stall. If we don’t have a proper parliament, if we only see on television how members of the parliament drag each other around by the hair, how they fight and spit at each other (as we saw once before and as happens in some neighbouring countries), our state will not work smoothly and effectively – and we must make it work. If someone wants to witness a spectacle, they should go to the circus, a cinema or theatre.

Worker: They need new, competent people.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, this is true.

Worker: People who will be able to actually get things done…

Vladimir Putin: Absolutely. This is the honest truth and exactly why parties are putting many new names on their ballots.