President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Volodin, the session has concluded. I congratulate you and all State Duma deputies, and I want to thank you for your collaborative effort. It has been a real battle, to use today’s terminology, and highly productive. Please convey my thanks to all State Duma deputies.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin: Thank you very much, Mr President. I opened today’s Duma meeting with the words you had previously shared with me, once again conveying your appreciation and best wishes to the deputies for their work. Everything achieved has been made possible by the serious and sustained focus placed on developing our parliamentary democracy and the State Duma. Considering this year’s results, we have truly accomplished a great deal.
We have passed 588 laws. As for legislative initiatives, a total of 1,303 were submitted in 2025, with State Duma deputies alone accounting for more than 40 percent of these. If we add the initiatives from regional deputies and legislative bodies, that share rises to over 50 percent. And, with the joint legislative initiatives undertaken with members of the Federation Council, the figure exceeds 70 percent. This represents a substantial and concrete effort.
What must also be stressed is that, as time has gone on, there has been more action, less theatre, and less empty talk. This has been due in large part to your decision, at the time, to propose amendments to the Constitution and to devolve powers to our citizens – enabling them, through their deputies, to approve and participate in forming the Government. This has fostered a shared responsibility for the outcomes of our work, a process in which the opposition parties are also involved.
Seventy percent of our laws have been supported by all members of parliament from all party factions. Every faction in parliament, including those from opposition parties, voted in support of the issues related to protecting national interests and the positions of the state, including on the international stage. We are striving to work together to achieve national development goals; we are united by the President’s agenda of national development. That is why the amount of meticulous professional work has increased.
Speaking about priorities, one of our key tasks during that period was to ensure the provision of everything our personnel participating in the special military operation and their families need. Since 2022, we have adopted 154 laws, shaping a certain system. You have set a task for us – we have tried to fulfil it. We have adopted 30 laws this year. While working to implement your instructions, we also tried to formulate amendments when necessary, especially when we are set such tasks and face challenges.
We understand that the situation is complicated, but overcoming challenges makes us stronger. A total of 30,711 sanctions have been imposed on us. We are all aware of this and understand that we must begin with ourselves and do everything we can to enhance the efficiency of Parliament. Its members have decided not to go on the so-called pre-holiday vacation until the New Year. They have gone to their electoral districts for meetings with their constituents and to help those in need.
Mr President, your name has been mentioned many times today, because your support is extremely important for the State Duma, when heads of party factions can call you directly, and you take a decision on meeting with them.
You said during our recent meeting that discussions of all draft laws in all spheres must take into account issues related to the family and support for motherhood and childhood, which will also help us fulfil our main task and achieve our goals in the demographic sphere, as well as create a legal environment that includes protection of the interests of families and children. We have adopted this decision with due regard for the provision under which all laws will be analysed for support for families and due regard for the motherhood and childhood policy.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Volodin, thank you.
Vyacheslav Volodin: Thank you, Mr President.
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