The State Duma should be given investigatory and judicial powers in cases of state importance.

FORBES: Mikhail Prokhorov and Just Cause's Party Platform - Judicial Reform, a ban on United Russia's "Political Monopoly," and making Russia "the Freest Country in the World"

The state duma should be strengthened and should again exercise its constitutional right to control budget expenditures.

FORBES: Mikhail Prokhorov and Just Cause's Party Platform - Judicial Reform, a ban on United Russia's "Political Monopoly," and making Russia "the Freest Country in the World"

Just one deputy in the State Duma voted against the legislation, which expands a 2001 smoking law.

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For instance, last October, he issued a summons to appear for questioning for Russian State Duma Deputy Vladislav Reznik.

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The State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, adopted the bill on its third reading, the state-run RAPSI news agency reported.

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Russia's State Duma made a conciliatory gesture towards improving relations with Washington Wednesday when it answered calls by Putin to ratify the most recent U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty.

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While the powers enjoyed by Speaker of the State Duma are considerably less than those of the President of theRussian Federation, this transition would keep Putin involved in government affairs.

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And of course, for our part, we intend to proceed promptly and to do all the necessary procedures to ensure that our parliament, our State Duma, starts reviewing this treaty, discussing this treaty.

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Ms Mitrofanova, who holds a PhD in international relations, was elected a Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia and has also worked as an auditor of the Russian Audit Chamber.

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In Russia, the State Duma (lower house of parliament) features a spoof draft law submitted by deputy Sergei Ivanov, in which he proposes banning the consumption of garlic - popular among Russians - in public places.

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Two top advisers to former Russian President Boris Yeltsin -- Sergei Karaganov and former Duma member Vyacheslav Nikonov -- told CNN Tuesday that Secretary of State Colin Powell told Russian President Vladimir Putin of Bush's intentions following meetings this week in Moscow.

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