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.

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

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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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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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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.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES

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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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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