Medvedev calls for party revolution

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev today at the Congress of
"United Russia" announced major reforms within the party to raise it
to an "unprecedented level of democracy within the country." He added
that United Russia is actively encouraged to engage in debates
with its opponents and not to be afraid of reshuffles and the problems that
United Russia will face along the path of modernization.

Speaking at the congress, Medvedev, who is expected to be elected
chairman of United Russia on Saturday, offered elections to the posts of
secretaries of party organizations at all levels through direct and
secret ballot and to elect party candidates for governors and mayors.
The Prime Minister also expressed the need to nominate the party
candidate for the post of speaker of the Duma on an alternate basis,
based on results of elections of members of the Congress.

With regard to intra-party democracy, Medvedev said that it would be
logical if the main positions in United Russia are occupied by
people that are trusted by citizens.

Therefore, in his opinion, the secretaries of party organizations at
all levels, including primary branches, must be elected on a
competitive basis through direct and secret ballot directly at the
regional conferences. The prime minister said that the proposal should
apply to everyone, including the secretaries of the General Council of
the United Russia party, RIA-Novosti reports.

Medvedev also urged his fellow party members not to be afraid of criticism