Boris Gryzlov: "United Russia" is a centrist party

Chairman of the Supreme Council of the party Yedinaya Rossia, or united Russia, thinks it necessary to adopt a law allowing state employees to join political parties.

"In this case, there would be not only power ministers joining United Russia," Gryzlov told the All-Russia Conference of Regional Media Representatives on Friday. The conference had been organized by United Russia.

At the same time, Gryzlov reminded the assembly that he does not count as a party member until such a law is adopted, and stressed that the party's Statute allows non-members to join the Supreme Council.

Asked about United Russia's major competitors, Gryzlov emphasised that the party was "a party of the political center." "We have to prove that united Russia meets all of the society's demands to a centrist party," he said.