The discussions, which were organised in seven sections, focused on implementing Mr Putin’s election campaign platform as set out in the series of articles he published during the campaign and the executive orders he signed in May this year. The discussions participants looked at the political situation in the country, the effectiveness of government institutions, reform in the defence industry and healthcare system, the quality of electronically-provided public services, migration policy, and current international affairs, including the Magnitsky Act, recently approved by the US Senate, and the Syrian crisis.
Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Mr Putin has decided to extend operation of his group of campaign activists throughout his term in office and will meet regularly with them. The idea is that the group will offer a constant source of public feedback throughout the term.
First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Vyacheslav Volodin noted that the President wants regular meetings with the activists in order to keep them informed of his decisions and get their feedback and reactions. “It is extremely important that you receive at these meetings maximum objective information about the authorities’ work, the President’s decisions, and the state of progress in implementing the goals set during the election campaign,” Mr Volodin said.
The group of official campaign activists brought together some 550 people from all around Russia, including representatives of public associations, intelligentsia and arts communities, prominent scientists, sportspeople, journalists, doctors, and people from other fields.
Mr Putin will meet with the group of election campaign activists on December 10, 2012.