Only 8% Of Russians Approve Of Council of Federation Activity

Only 8% of Russians approve of the activity of the Council of the Federation, the Chairman of the Council of the Federation of Russia Sergey Mironov said at today's press conference in St. Petersburg. Following the Council of Federation's switch to a constant working regime the members of the Upper Chamber of the Russian Parliament will be able to hold their sessions more often than twice a month, he said. For instance, the profile committees will hold their sessions once a week, Mironov said. The new agenda that will be approved at the Council's session on January 16, stipulates an increased number of the profile committees and commissions, in particular, the committee for natural resources and environment will be set up. Mironov believes that "those who are today members of the Council of the Federation will in many years hold important state positions". He also reminded that of 116 approved candidate-members of the new Council of the Federation around a half have experience of working on a federal level, 30 people represent Russian business elite and about 30 people - executive power, among who 11 are ex-governors or ex-deputy governors, while the rest formerly were ministers or deputy ministers. In a month and a half 30 people more will join the Council of the Federation. The number of members is currently 146 people.