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Central Election Com to register members of new Duma

Some observers and politicians suppose that Naryshkin may become speaker of the new Duma

MOSCOW, December 15 (Itar-Tass) —— The Russian Central Election Commission this Thursday will register deputies of the new sixth-convocation lower house of the parliament.

The final makeup of the house will be known after the registration.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who headed the United Russia party list, and many leaders of regional groups have officially withdrawn not to become Duma members but remain in their positions. Government officials and some governors have handed in the corresponding written statements to the commission.

There is no published information so far about some politicians who ran for the Duma. Among them is chief of the Kremlin administration staff Sergei Naryshkin, who headed the United Russia list for the Leningrad Region.

Some observers and politicians suppose that Naryshkin may become speaker of the new Duma.

Deputy chairman of the CPRF Central Committee Vladimir Kashin has expressed the view that Naryshkin and Oleg Morozov, first vice-speaker of the fifth-convocation Duma, might be real candidatures from United Russia. But it will be seen, he added.

Boris Gryzlov, speaker of the lower house of the previous fourth and fifth convocations, made a sensational statement on Wednesday that he decided not to be a member of the new Duma, though United Russia earlier made it clear that Gryzlov might be Duma chairman again.

Meanwhile, the State Duma already this Thursday begins to form a so-called agreement on distribution of governing positions between the parties. Traditionally, the main subject of discussion is the post of speaker.

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