Opposition can and should participate in political life - Putin
MOSCOW. April 16 (Interfax) - Opposition forces can and should participate in political life, and that participation will be a positive factor, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Let us start from the opposition having a right and a possibility of official and legal involvement in political life; indeed, it can and should [get involved]. If they win next parliament elections, then they will enjoy support of the people, their activity will acquire a legal status, and, to a certain degree, they will bear responsibility for what they are offering," he said in the Q&A session on Thursday.
The president was answering a question from politician and public figure Irina Khakamada whether he was ready to lend associates of slain Boris Nemtsov, among them Alexei Navalny and Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a hand in their future struggle for parliament seats.
"This will create a sort of platform and bring these people out of the shadows. This is a positive thing, to my mind," the chief of state said.
However, a final decision will be made by people giving their voices for parliament candidates. "I think that would be a positive thing," Putin said in conclusion.
