The state Duma at discussion of a package of amendments to the electoral law did not support the initiative of the LDPR deputies proposed to oblige the presidential candidates to participate in election debates. It is reported RIA Novosti on Friday, may 19.
“Of course, not always the opportunity [to participate in the debate] is. For candidates such participation is a right. To exercise this right or not, decides to let he, his team,” said head of the Duma Committee on state construction and legislation Pavel Krasheninnikov.
The liberal Democrats propose to remove from the legislation a rule allowing candidates for the presidency to refuse to participate in the election debate. “Debate is the most important part of the electoral process. It is on debate the candidate can not only articulate their position, but to prove her innocence,” explained one of authors of amendments, the Deputy speaker of the state Duma from LDPR Igor Lebedev.
Earlier on Friday, the lower house of Parliament adopted in the second reading a package of amendments to the electoral law, involving, in particular, cancellation of absentee ballots for both the presidential and regional elections.
March 30, the founder of political party “Yabloko” Grigory Yavlinsky, announced presidential ambitions, has proposed to develop a new format for “sustained and meaningful” television debates, and be required to participate in all candidates.