"We will try to consider this issue during the spring session," Gryzlov added. He mentioned no details about the project.
State Duma First Vice Speaker Lyubov Sliska explained to RIA Novosti that in line with the submitted law, the initiative group of citizens must consist of regional subgroups formed in more than a half of constituent members of the Russian Federation.
This norm takes into account the federative nature of Russia's state structure and will considerably increase the role of the regions in organizing and holding all-Russian referendums, Sliska said.
"Realization of this norm won't create any difficulties for all-Russian political parties and public associations, but may hinder the dubious practice of initiating a referendum with advertising purposes," Sliska explained. She said the importance of issues put to the all-Russian referendum should be significant for citizens in most regions.
"The new bill has been prepared with account for the last decade's experience of state construction and amendments to the election legislation. In comparison with the previous law adopted in 1995, it contains a more clearly defined order of initiating and holding a referendum, an optimized legal format of realization by Russian Federation citizens of the right to take part in the referendum," the First Vice Speaker said.
The submission of the draft law to the State Duma was preceded by consultations with the Russian government, representatives of regions, political parties, with the pro-presidential United Russia party participating as well.
"The United Russia party backs this bill," Sliska said. In her words, before the first reading in the State Duma, it is planned to hold a round table discussion with political parties, public associations and experts.
