Meeting with elected heads of regions

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues,

We have gathered so that I can congratulate you on your election victories, but also to discuss what lies ahead in the near future. The fact that you have received convincing support as a result of these elections, both through direct voting and election via regional legislative assemblies, is evident.

The election campaigns took place under competitive conditions across all regions - and with high turnout - victories were secured either by incumbent leaders or acting heads. That is, our citizens and voters assess candidates by their concrete deeds and results, which is undoubtedly a sound, responsible approach and an indicator of the maturity of our electoral culture and civil society as a whole.

It is clear that people are counting on the continuation of the country's strategic development course, that it will bring further positive changes to their regions, hometowns, and villages.

Naturally, it is very important to justify this trust by structuring your daily work in line with stated plans and public expectations, acting with full dedication. I am confident that you are guided precisely by such principles.

In total, over 5,000 election campaigns at various levels concluded on the single voting day. They took place across 81 regions - practically nationwide - with regions employing diverse approaches to maximise voter convenience. I refer both to remote formats and the organisation of multi-day voting.

I believe this experience, which takes into account regional specificities, should continue to be applied moving forward.

Colleagues,

Undoubtedly, each region has its own distinct features and, in some respects, unique immediate tasks.

Yet this very diversity is one of our country's greatest strengths. Here, the coordination and consolidation of different regions' capabilities and efforts are paramount, as is formulating regional socioeconomic programmes in close alignment with achieving our national objectives.

To be continued.