MOSCOW, September 20 (Itar-Tass) - The State Duma lower house of Russia’s parliament on Friday will consider the candidacy of Tatyana Golikova for the post of the Accounts Chamber head, as well as the candidatures of several auditors.
Golikova was recommended for the post by RF President Vladimir Putin.
Duma speaker Sergei Naryshkin had reminded reporters that Golikova had held meetings with all the Duma factions. He expressed confidence that “the result of the vote will be obvious - the State Duma will appoint her to the post.” “Golikova is a professional, competent person who knows the fiscal policy, inter-budget relations,” the politician continued. He has no doubt that “she will qualitatively perform the duties of the Accounts Chamber head.” “And, of course, we will say kind words to Sergei Stepashin, who has effectively worked on this post for about thirteen years,” Naryshkin promised.
On September 9, Putin submitted to the parliament for consideration the candidatures of the head and deputy head of the Accounts Chamber - Tatyana Golikova, who currently occupies the post of RF presidential aide and Vera Chistova, who headed Moscow’s department of finance. In addition, six candidates each for the posts of auditors of the Accounts Chamber have been submitted to the Federal Assembly houses for consideration.
In accordance with the new Law “On the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation,” the Accounts Chamber head is appointed by the State Duma for a period of six years upon the recommendation of the president of the Russian Federation. One and the same person cannot hold the position of the Chamber’s head for more than two consecutive terms. The candidatures (at least three) for the post of chairperson of the Accounts Chamber are introduced to the president by the Duma Council on the proposals of the Duma factions. The president has the right to propose to the lower house of one of the candidates, nominated by the factions or to present another candidate. The resolution on the appointment of the Accounts Chamber chairperson is adopted by the State Duma by a majority of votes of all the MPs.
Russia’s Accounts Chamber is to be formed under the new rules before October 1, 2013. The current Chairman of the Accounts Chamber, Sergei Stepashin, heads it since 2000.
The United Russia party and Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) have already promised to support Golikova, and A Just Russia party members are expected to vote at their discretion. As for the Communist Party (CPRF), its leader Gennady Zyuganov proposed to those members of the faction who are categorically against the candidacy of Golikova, to abstain or not to vote.
On September 13, the relevant Duma committee on budget and taxes recommended to the lower house to appoint Golikova to the position of the RF Accounts Chamber chairperson.
Among the important bills to be considered on Friday in the first reading is the initiative on the participation of citizens in the protection of public order.
The document establishes the “rights, duties, powers, incentives and measures to protect people’s guards and auxiliary police officers,” Sergei Naryshkin said earlier.
The bill emphasises that the citizens who are involved in the protection of public order “have no right to pose as police officers and officers of other law enforcement agencies, as well as to carry out activities assigned by the legislation of the Russian Federation to the exclusive competence of those bodies.” On the other hand, the bodies of state authority and local self-government bodies “have no right to involve citizens in activities for the protection of public order, definitely threatening their life and health.”
The fine for disobedience of the legitimate demands of a people’s guard or an auxiliary policeman is from 500 to 2,500 roubles. At the same time, “the actions of a people’s guard or an auxiliary policeman that clearly go beyond the limits of their powers, which violate the rights and legitimate interests of citizens or organisations” are punishable by a warning or a fine from 1,000 to 3,000 roubles. The same actions by officials heading the bodies of management of voluntary people’s guards (headquarters) entail a warning or a fine ranging from 1,500 roubles to 5,000 roubles.