Russian President Vladimir Putin, reelected to the post in March, pledged on Thursday to strengthen the multi-party system by enlarging existing parties rather than increasing the number of parties represented in Russia.

"I think we have made the right choice in favor of enlarging political parties," Putin said in a televised speech at a meeting with members of the Central Election Commission a day before his Friday inauguration.

Russia will continue supporting small political associations, said Putin, with the proviso that they must be "serious, solid, competent parties having the support of our people."

Putin said 46 parties in Russia have the right to nominate candidates in the political arena and that "this is quite enough for voters making their choice."

The political structure of Russia's federal legislature comprehensively changed following last December's parliamentary election. The pro-Putin United Russia party gained a two-thirds majority in the 450-seat State Duma, the lower house of the parliament.

Source: Xinhua