4th Assembly of Tatarstan State Council met for its first session

The President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mintimer Shaimiev, attended the first session of the 4th Assembly of the Tatarstan State Council, which opened early on March 19, 2009.

In the course of the session, Farid Mukhametshin was elected Chairman of the 4th Assembly of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan. He was elected by secret ballot, with 90 for and 7 against. Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev congratulated the newly elected Chairman of the State Council.

Addressing the deputies he noted: "Great responsibility lays on you, elected lawmakers. We should continue good, constructive work of the republic's parliament." In his words, the principal task in times of the global financial crisis is to prevent it from turning into a social one. "It's important to try to keep the quality of life, prevent growth of unemployment, and keep jobs," he said.

Mintimer Shaimiev invited lawmakers to stay in close contact with their constituents. "People need meetings, and we should give proper explanations to what's going on in the world," the President believes. The mixed election system has an advantage in this regard. "Lawmakers, elected from single-mandate districts know local issues and needs much better," stressed the Tatarstan President. "Deputies must be out in the field," he added.

Talking about the Chairman of the State Council, Mintimer Shaimiev noted: "It's not an easy job to be the head of the parliament. Farid Mukhametshin is a reliable, experienced parliamentarian. I hope he will be successful in his job even in these new and changing conditions."

Mr. Aleksander Gusev and Ms. Rimma Ratnikova were elected deputy heads of the RT State Council, Ms. Lilia Mavrina was elected secretary for the RT parliament.