The unprecedented upswing of public interest in Russia's presidential elections opened a window of opportunities — quite unexpected but welcome — to see and discuss many socioeconomic problems in a more realistic manner.

There was prolonged and contentious dialogue in February and March between two high-ranking female functionaries of the officially recognized opposition parties — A Just Russia and the Liberal-Democratic Party of Russia. This debate highlighted, in many ways, the questionable social policies of the ruling United Russia party.

According to both women's views, there is no real family policy in Russia. The concept was compiled by the Duma but nothing followed. There are about seven departments in the government dealing with family matters (including home affairs, health care, culture and education), but no one bears actual responsibility for the quality of implemented policies.