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seems like only yesterday that the Russian Duma looked more
like a battering ram for the Kremlin's
opponents than a parliament. In the 1990s it was too busy trying
to impeach former president, Boris
Yeltsin, to concern itself with passing laws. But not this Duma.
After December's parliamentary election it's dominated by deputies
loyal to the Kremlin. So it was fitting
that one of this new Duma's first visitors was President Putin.
In a speech at the parliament's opening session Mr Putin congratulated
deputies on their election, referring to those often stormy
parliamentary sessions during the days of Boris Yeltsin. Russia's
current leader noted that the country had changed since the first
Russian Duma appeared ten years ago. In that time, the President
said, parliament had moved away from political confrontation
to constructive legislative work.
The Duma's priority now, said Mr Putin, should be to improve
the lives of ordinary Russians, especially in the areas of education,
health and by helping to develop a system of mortgages. Russia's
leader said the deputies should never forget that state power
comes from the people. At the end he received a
standing ovation; it was perhaps to be expected, after
all before the Duma elections earlier this month, the Kremlin
had poured huge resources into making sure that the new parliament
would be both supportive of the President and compliant.
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it seems like only yesterday: it
feels as if it was recently
battering ram: a long heavy piece
of wood used to break down doors
impeach: to charge a politician
with committing a serious crime connected with their job
deputies: members of the Russian
parliament
it was fitting: it was suitable
stormy: angry and argumentative
confrontation: arguments and disputes
constructive legislative work:
passing laws
a standing ovation: when an audience stands and applauds
(claps) the speaker or performer
compliant: willing and agreeable
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