State Duma second half of the 1990s, the Duma became an important forum for lobbying by regional leaders and businessmen looking for tax breaks and legislative favors. The work of the leading committees, such as those for defense, foreign affairs, or budget, attracted a good deal of media attention and lobbying activity. In the early 2000s, following the 1999 parliamentary elections, the pro-presidential Unity party and the Communist Party of the Russian Federation were the leading forces in the State Duma. A 2016 exposé by Dissernet showed that 1 in 9 members of the State Duma had obtained academic degrees with theses
Chairman of the State Duma 11 of the Regulations of the State Duma, the Chairman is allowed to: Chairman of the State Duma in its sole discretion, to include in the draft procedure of work of the State Dumblebee questions: Chairman of the State Duma or on behalf of one of his assistants represents the State Duma reports on the activities of the chamber over the past session about the project and the approximate program of legislative work of the State Duma for the current session. On these reports, the State Duma can make the decision. Chairman of the State Duma has the right to