Donetsk, Oct 21 — DAN. The regional branch of the all-Russia political party “United Russia” established in the Donetsk People’s Republic has held the first general meeting in the DPR capital on Friday, Secretary of the Party’s General Council Andrei Turchak said.

“United Russia” has set up a regional branch in the Donetsk People’s Republic, ” Turchak said. “DPR interim Head Denis Pushilin has been elected its secretary at the first general meeting.”

“My sincere congratulations to Denis Pushilin and best wishes for his political work for the good of DPR residents, ” he added.

The secretary was elected by secret ballot. DPR parliament deputy speaker Sergey Prokopenko also aspired to the post. The general meeting approved the members of the regional branch and its council. The United Russia’s Donetsk branch has 53 members; of those, 44 took part in the general meeting.

“United Russia’s” Donetsk branch has much work to do. We’ll scale up our operation in the DPR, launch Party projects and implement a people’s program. We’ll set up a grassroots network and local offices. The key objective is assistance to the people, their protection and well-being, ” Turchak said.

On October 6, he announced that the Party would set up regional branches in the new Russian regions: the DPR, the LPR and the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Turchak also announced preparations for Party conferences in these regions.

Earlier reports said that “United Russia” had simplified the procedure to join the party for Russians living in the DPR and LPR. The Party immediately grants membership to the applicants bypassing the stage where they have the status of supporters. Previously, Donbass residents who obtained Russian citizenship, as well as other Russian citizens had to remain in the status of supporter for at least six months before becoming a Party member. “United Russia” opened membership applications in July 2021.*jk