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breakingnews
26.05.2010, 17:29
3 comments
Russian lawmakers might face harsh punishment for not attending parliamentary sessions without a good reason. The issue came to surface following a scandalous video report shown by a Russian TV channel.
06.10.2009, 15:49
Russian government plans to reduce expenses on bureaucracy and cut the number of state officials. The move comes on the wave of media scandals surrounding Russian officials’ extravagant purchases.
17.05.2010, 18:53
28 comments
In what is seen as a politically motivated gesture, the European Court of Human Rights has delivered its verdict in the case of Vasily Kononov versus Latvia.
15.04.2010, 14:23
21 comments
Moscow has suspended the adoption of Russian children by American families until the two countries sign an agreement on how the well-being of the children is safeguarded.
08.07.2010, 15:56
8 comments
Russia and the US have agreed to a spy swap – alleged femme-fatale spy Anna Chapman is returning home in exchange for Russian scientist Igor Sutyagin, convicted of espionage, Russian media reports.
24.06.2010, 02:42
4 comments
The trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is now in full swing, though many in the court of public opinion have already convicted him.
22.09.2010, 20:40
58 comments
President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday signed a decree which bans deliveries of S-300 missile systems to Iran.
27.10.2010, 08:54
Capitol Hill insiders in the US are allegedly using and abusing their positions to make some extra pocket money.
24.05.2009, 09:06
25 comments
President Medvedev has signed a decree on setting a commission to counter attempts to falsify history to the detriment of Russia's interests, the Kremlin said.
23.09.2009, 13:54
24 comments
The Polish parliament has adopted, without a vote or debate, a resolution that blames Russia for genocide, an allegation Moscow denies. Russia says the move will strain already tense bilateral relations.
Published: 02 June, 2010, 18:03
Edited: 30 June, 2010, 14:51
Following heated debates over Russian MPs missing parliamentary sessions, the Public Chamber has suggested passing a law providing for punishment of absentees. The State Duma, however, said it would be unconstitutional.
Some years ago I proposed an idea that Medvedev would like: a Digital Parliament, which fits better in the Russian Federation than in any other nation. With a Digital Parliament I mean that MPs stay in their oblasts, in their cities, in their towns, and participate voting thanks to the videoconference and electronic signature. They can even vote from their house (for example in Vladivostok or Krasnoyarsk) Why should MPs from distant places have to travel to Moscow and live thousands of miles away from their electorate. Aren´t those MPs their "representatives"? Do their electorate know his name and phone number, and where they live? Nope. Parliaments are like dinosaurs, creatures from the XIX Century, big buildings where a bunch of people with priviledges live. In a Digital Parliament, it would be enough if there is a "coordinator" from every party living in Moscow and taking care of votes from MPs, and one "mediator" (actually the President of Parliament) Then, those big building wouldn´t be needed as it would be enough with an Office with a table where the coordinators and the mediator seat. Discussions and intervention of MPs can take place thanks to videoconference. And, of course, MPs could be volunteer and always in contact with their electorate.