Duma

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Duma (杜马)
Alias(es)	State Duma; State Duma of the Russian Federation
Affiliation	Russian Federation
Occupation/Role	National legislative body; forum for factional negotiation, legislation, oversight, and political appointments
Status	Active
First Appearance	247

Background / History

The Duma is presented as a major entry point into Russian politics. A deputy does not require fixed daily attendance, but can participate in legislation, influence national policy, and potentially veto presidential decisions. The Emperor cannot directly appoint or remove a deputy. 247

Before Mikhail's rise, many deputies treated the institution chiefly as a source of social status and immunity. Some neglected meetings or even remained abroad, while only influential deputies played meaningful roles in shaping national policy. 247 355

Mikhail initially enters the Duma as its youngest deputy, gaining public attention through his election speech. He later turns the office into the center of his political career, moving from an ordinary deputy to a committee chairman, faction leader, Deputy Speaker, and eventually First Deputy Speaker. 371 448 628 630 864

Organization and Procedures

Membership and leadership

• The Duma has 450 deputy seats. 817 970
• Its assembly hall places deputies in an arc facing the dais, where the Speaker and Deputy Speakers preside. 384
• Deputies wear dark-red badges bearing the Russian tricolor and the words “Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation” when entering or leaving the Duma Building. 384 388
• Leadership arrangements change between sessions. The Duma is at one point described as having one Speaker and four Deputy Speakers—the “five giants”—while a later session elects a Speaker, a First Deputy Speaker, and three Deputy Speakers. 665 1173

Committees

The Duma operates through standing committees including the International Relations, Defense and Military Affairs, Legal, and Economic Committees. Committees debate and approve proposals before members negotiate support among factions and bring measures to plenary sessions. 448 869

• Economic Committee — Initially assigns Mikhail as a member, then elects him chairman after Gryzlov moves to lead the Legislative Committee. 448 630
• Legislative Committee — Chaired by Gryzlov after Mikhail nominates him against a Second Faction candidate. 629
• Foreign Affairs and Military Committee — Chaired by Kolov during the period when he is recognized as one of the Duma’s three giants. 797

Constitutional and oversight powers

• The Duma can legislate, review policy, and use impeachment proceedings against officials it considers unfit for office. 692
• It cannot directly dismiss the chief of the Moscow Police Department, but can formally notify the official’s superior department or the Kremlin through impeachment. 692
• The Duma can impeach even the Kremlin leader under the constitution, though this authority had gone unused until Mikhail initiated proceedings against Moscow police chief Gudlav. 692
• It has no inherent executive authority; its influence depends on the government and Kremlin cooperating to implement approved measures. 871 1100
• The Kremlin can submit bills, sign or veto laws passed by parliament, convene elections, and dissolve the Duma—though dissolution represents an extreme confrontation between the two institutions. 1164

Factions and Political Balance

The Duma is dominated by factional politics rather than fixed ideological blocs. Major factions compete, but alliances change according to the issue at hand; former opponents may cooperate when their interests align. 624

Political period	Balance of power
Mikhail’s first term	His faction holds only a little over thirty seats and is not considered a major party. 448
“Three giants” period	Gryzlov, Kolov, and Mikhail jointly dominate the Duma through their respective factions and powerful committees. 797
Post-election realignment	Gryzlov’s First Faction holds 155 seats, Mikhail’s faction 150, Khovchenko’s faction 80, the Moscow Faction 60, and minor factions 5. 864 970
Mikhail’s consolidation	Mikhail’s faction, Zhirinov’s group, and aligned smaller factions form the strongest bloc, despite Gryzlov retaining the Speakership. 864 865
Later influence	Mikhail effectively controls around 300 of the Duma’s 450 seats through his own faction and aligned factions. 1071

Story Role / Major Arcs

Mikhail’s entry and rapid rise

Mikhail is encouraged to seek a deputy seat by Gebliev, Khovchenko, and Abramovich, who view the Duma as a platform from which he can gain political influence. He wins election as the youngest Duma deputy in Russian history and soon joins the Economic Committee. 355 371 448

Following Zhirinov’s retirement, Mikhail succeeds him as leader of the Third Faction and is elected Deputy Speaker. Gryzlov subsequently supports his election as chairman of the Economic Committee. 624 628 630

Reasserting institutional authority

As Deputy Speaker, Mikhail seeks to end the Duma’s reputation as a passive “voting machine.” His impeachment proceedings against Gudlav are intended as a precedent: the Duma must actively exercise its constitutional powers if it expects the Kremlin and government to respect them. 692 918

Under Mikhail and Gryzlov, the Duma becomes more active in economic and public-welfare initiatives, including fiscal planning, infrastructure, low-rent housing, and oversight of major projects. 723 850 909

Election realignment

During the next Duma election, Mikhail directs his faction’s campaign and absorbs deputies who leave other factions. His bloc emerges as the strongest political force, though he allows Gryzlov’s faction to retain the title of First Faction and the Speakership to avoid attracting suspicion. 860 864

Mikhail is elected First Deputy Speaker and gains control of two major committee chairmanships, giving him greater practical influence than the Speaker. 864 865 912

The Luzhkov removal vote

Mikhail establishes a joint Duma-led task force with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Security Service, and Prosecutor’s Office to investigate corruption in Moscow Oblast. 964 966

The task force seeks Luzhkov’s removal as governor before prosecution can proceed, since his elected office grants him judicial immunity. During the Duma vote, Mikhail’s preparations and Rosiana’s efforts split the Moscow Faction, allowing the removal motion to pass. 969 973 974

After the resolution passes, Danya orders Luzhkov’s immediate arrest. The remaining Moscow Faction deputies reorganize as the Liberal Party Faction and pledge loyalty to Mikhail. 974

A stronger Duma

Mikhail’s leadership steadily changes the relationship between the Duma, the Kremlin, and the government. The Duma develops enough authority to reject Kremlin nominations and require meaningful consultation on major policies. 917 959 1100

By the time Gryzlov prepares to retire, the Duma broadly accepts Mikhail as the inevitable future Speaker, crediting his leadership with restoring powers previously neglected by the institution. 1071 1149

Key Figures

• Mikhail / Wang Ye — Deputy, Economic Committee member and chairman, faction leader, Deputy Speaker, and later First Deputy Speaker; the principal force behind the Duma’s increased authority. 448 630 864 1100
• Gryzlov — Speaker of the Duma and leader of the First Faction; Mikhail’s frequent ally in legislative and institutional reforms. 448 723
• Zhirinov — Mikhail’s former superior, Third Faction leader, and later First Deputy Speaker; consistently supports Mikhail’s advancement. 448 618 1173
• Kolov — Deputy Speaker, Second Faction leader, and chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Military Committee during the “three giants” period. 797
• Danya — Leads the Duma-backed Moscow Oblast investigation, later becomes Mikhail’s faction whip and is elected Deputy Speaker in the subsequent session. 964 1003 1173
• Gebliev — Kremlin official who first proposes that Mikhail enter the Duma and later serves as an important channel between the Duma and the Kremlin. 247 871