Independent deputy Vladimir Ryzhkov yesterday urged the Duma to remove the clause on dissolving parliaments, citing a deputy from the Tartar parliament, who said, "If you want another Chechnya, vote for dissolution." Viktor Grishin, the chairman of the Duma committee for the federation's affairs and regional policies and a member of United Russia, replied, "The bill makes no sense without the [provision on] dissolution. It is not a form of punishment, but a way to resolve a conflict."
Yesterday, 337 deputies voted for the amendment that may see incumbent governors voluntarily give up their powers. It means that a governor elected before the law was adopted can raise the question with the president, who will have to decide within seven days whether to back the governor's candidacy in the legislature.
In its current form the law received 357 votes, from United Russia, the LDPR and most of the Homeland faction. Against were the Communists, seven Homeland deputies and ten independents. In the third, final reading the law will be adopted tomorrow before being sent to the Federation Council next week. The president will then sign it and it will be published officially. Consequently, it may enter into force before the end of the year.
