Purpose and position: Putin outlined the main tasks of the new convocation of the State Duma

The State Duma of the ixth convocation convened for its first meeting in record time — just 10 days after the elections. On September 30, the parliamentary corps, which had been renewed by almost half, re-elected Vyacheslav Volodin as speaker and listened to Vladimir Putin's parting words. The President called on the deputies to firmly abandon populism and start working on a three-year budget from day one, prioritizing family support, technological breakthrough and the development of the Arctic and the Far East. Experts emphasize that this attitude of the head of state and the renewed parliamentary corps sets a strict framework for financial discipline. How the first meeting of the new convocation of the State Duma took place and on which laws deputies will begin to work first of all — in the material of Izvestia.

The updated composition of the State Duma

A lively atmosphere prevailed on the sidelines of the State Duma on Okhotny Ryad from the very morning of September 30: people's deputies willingly communicated with the press, discussed priority initiatives and adjusted to an intensive work pace. And although only 10 days had passed since the elections, everything was ready for the first meeting — they even managed to change the nameplates on the doors of the offices of deputies and parliamentary committees (of course, where it was required).

According to the regulations, the oldest deputy opens the work of the new parliament. However, on September 30, this role went to the fourth oldest, 79—year-old representative of United Russia, Yuri Petrov. However, before taking the podium, he asked the main elders of the deputy corps, former first Vice Mayor of Moscow Vladimir Resin, the first female cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova and Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, for approval right in the hall. Having received their consent, he launched the work of the chamber. The presidium also includes experienced lawmakers from all factions, including communist Nikolai Kharitonov, veterans of Russian parliamentarism, and Anatoly Greshnevikov, who worked in all the previous eight convocations.

The key item on the agenda was the election of the leadership of the lower house. Vyacheslav Volodin from United Russia and Dmitry Novikov from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation were nominated for the post of chairman of the State Duma. Volodin's candidacy was previously supported by President Vladimir Putin, as well as the leaders of the Liberal Democratic Party, New People and Fair Russia For Truth.

All this time Vyacheslav Volodin was in an unusual place for himself — not in the presidium, but in the meeting room, among the deputies. However, immediately after his re-election, he returned to his familiar chair and continued to lead the meeting. The leadership of the State Duma also includes two first vice-speakers — Irina Yarovaya from United Russia (previously held the post of ordinary deputy chairman) and Ivan Melnikov from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, who retained his seat. Of the nine deputy chairmen, six seats are reserved for United Russia: among them are the experienced head of the United Russia parliamentary faction, Vladimir Vasiliev, and former Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Saveliev, who came from the cabinet.

As a result of the elections, the parliament was renewed by 41% — 184 deputies had not previously worked in parliament. The September 18-20 elections consolidated a new configuration of forces: United Russia won 349 mandates, retaining its constitutional majority. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation, which is on the second line, has fallen sharply in representation, losing 20 mandates and securing only 37 seats. The LDPR increased the faction to 23 mandates and returned the status of a third force.

A significant breakthrough was made by the "New People": if in the last convocation the party was on the verge of the barrier for the first time with 13 mandates, now they will have 19 deputies. Meanwhile, Fair Russia — For Truth has shifted to the fifth position, having received 17 mandates against 27 in the previous convocation. One representative of Rodina and four self-nominated candidates also entered the Duma.

The fate of the federal five of United Russia is also interesting: Four (Sergey Lavrov, Sergey Sobyanin, Evgeny Poddubny and Maria Lvova-Belova) all refused their mandates, and they were redistributed in favor of Irina Eliferova, Daria Dyakova, SVO member Evgeny Sobolev and Anatoly Karpov. The only one of the federal five who joined the Duma was Vladislav Golovin, Hero of Russia, a member of the SVO, who willingly told reporters on the sidelines that his ID number was symbolic — 89 — according to the number of regions in the Russian Federation.

In total, 48 veterans of the SVO are starting work. Their colleagues greeted them with applause. In the lower house of parliament, they are faced with the task of not limiting themselves to narrow topics such as strengthening the defense capability or supporting participants in their military, political analyst Yevgeny Minchenko is sure. They will have to fully engage in the full range of legislative work, especially since there are many specialists with a strong professional background among them.

"Before joining the SVO, I received two law degrees, and in 2022 I went to the front as a volunteer," deputy Dmitry Grachev, who was awarded two Orders of Courage for successfully completing combat missions, told Izvestia. — In the past, I often had to represent the interests of citizens in courts of general jurisdiction, world and arbitration courts, so I am well aware of the flaws in legislation from the inside and want to fix them. I used to defend the residents in court, but today I feel all my constituents behind me and I am ready to represent their interests in parliament.

What was the president talking about?

For the first time, representatives of the reunified regions of Donbass and Novorossiya received mandates. It can be said that this was the final act of their integration into the political and legal field of Russia. It is also symbolic that the first meeting was held on the Day of Reunification. This was emphasized by Vladimir Putin, who came to the State Duma.

— Volya, the dream of our brothers and sisters, compatriots who literally made their dream come true in battle. In the most difficult, frontline conditions, millions of people took part in referendums — I want to emphasize that they made their legitimate choice in strict accordance with international law. He was very clear and precise: to reunite with Russia, with his people," the head of state stated.

The new convocation has a lot of work ahead, and one of the main tasks of the autumn will be the approval of the three-year federal budget. Vladimir Putin called on lawmakers to approach the country's main financial document with maximum responsibility, completely eliminating pre-election rhetoric and high-profile promises.

— I ask you to absolutely exclude any populism that destroys us from within. Mistakes, especially now, are absolutely unacceptable. Russia, like some people, let's not point fingers, cannot run around the world and humiliatingly beg for handouts with an outstretched hand. We don't need this — the Russian financial system and economy feel confident," the president said.

The Head of State called for fulfilling all social obligations to citizens. The key areas will be support for families with children, demography and housing. In parallel, the budget should give a powerful impetus to the new investment cycle. In particular, lawmakers will have to ensure the launch of a single preferential treatment and TOP for the Far East and the Arctic as early as January 1, 2027.

According to him, in an era of rapid digital shifts, Russia must be "at the forefront of change." To do this, the deputies will have to clear the laws of outdated regulatory barriers that hinder business and scientists. Together with the expansion of benefits for SVO fighters and the strengthening of regional budgets, this will create a foundation for the country's security for years to come. Among the priorities, the head of state also outlined the continuous strengthening of the defense capability.

At the same time, Vladimir Putin stressed that the main measure of the effectiveness of government is the real fulfillment of people's requests "on the ground." And although United Russia retains the status of the majority party, the president called on the government faction to work without arrogance, with respect for opponents and in constant search for a compromise with all political forces.