Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

President Vladimir Putin:

It was very interesting to watch your lesson today. It was not only useful, it was also really interesting.

I can’t say that the questions were too hard. But in my opinion, sometimes they actually went beyond knowledge of the Constitution – for example, which documents does the Government of the Russian Federation issue. I’m not sure that this is written in the Constitution. It is written in the Law “On Government”, and of course not everyone knows that. There is nothing difficult here, but only people involved with it know about it. And the fact that an answer was found quickly is of course surprising.

There were, of course, incorrect answers. And I would like to point out that the question and answer remains debatable according to which the Moscow State Duma is acknowledged to be the body of local self-administration. I think that some additional thought needs to be given to this.

And another question – what is the main sign of a secular state? Of course, all religions are equal in Russia, but the main sign of a secular state is the fact that religion is separated from the state, and the church is separated from the state. But religions are of course all equal.

But on the whole, it seems to me that the participants of today’s meeting not only showed good knowledge of the Constitution, but also an interest in it, which is the most important thing. And I would add that your lycee is a place where you mainly study exact sciences in more depth, but the Basic Law of our country is important, of course, for all citizens, whatever they do, whatever their interests are and whatever the main activity of their life is. This interest to the Constitution is in fact the basis of an interest in our own country. So I congratulate you on the results, on your excellent knowledge, and want to wish you success in your studies, and happiness in the coming New Year!