The bills provide for giving the State Duma supervisory powers over the government cabinet. The draft law on amending the Constitution of Russia “On the Supervisory Powers of the State Duma over the Government of the Russian Federation” increases the number of issues that fall within the competence of the State Duma and includes the provision that the lower house of parliament will receive annual reports from the government cabinet on the results of its activities, including in response to questions raised by the State Duma.
The draft law on amending the Constitution of Russia “On Changing the Terms of Office of the President of the Russian Federation and State Duma Deputies” holds that the President of Russia will be elected for six years and State Duma deputies for five years. Previously, both held office for four years.
The law on amending the Russian Constitution applies to the President and the State Duma who will have been elected after its entry into force.
Dmitry Medvedev spoke about these changes in his Address to the Federal Assembly.