State Duma elections are high priority to Putin's new envoy

In St. Petersburg on Tuesday, Ilya Klebanov's, Russian President Vladimir Putin's new plenipotentiary envoy to the Northwestern Federal District, said preparations for the State Duma elections in the Northwestern Federal District are one of his highest priorities. The State Duma elections will take place on December 7.

"One of my tasks is to make the elections democratic and free," said the former Russian Vice Premier. He was appointed to the new post after his predecessor, Valentina Matviyenko was elected St. Petersburg's Governor.

According to Klebanov, he will try to make the residents of Russia's northwest understand the importance of the State Duma elections.

"The life in this country for the next four years will depend on the State Duma's formation. Russia's stable development depends on democratic laws, which will be adopted. Therefore, a high-quality and professional State Duma staff is very important," Klebanov said.