7.09.2021

Signed by candidates

from the Yabloko party

to the State Duma of

the Russian Federation

September 07, 2021

Signed by citizens of

the Russian Federation

during voting

at polling stations

September 19, 2021

DEPUTIES WITHOUT BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES

We, the candidates for deputies of the State Duma of Russia, nominated by the Yabloko party, conclude a Social Contract with the citizens of our country, which we promise to fulfill in full, professionally, honestly and consistently, representing the interests of our voters.

Picture: Expenditure on the Maintenance of the State Duma

13,043,686,900 bln roubls per year:

– deputies’ wage pay: 6,6 bln roubles per year;

– supporting of a deputy: 3,5 mln roubles per month;

– maintaining a car for a deputy: 2 mln roubles per year.

In case of our election to the State Duma, we publicly promise to work honestly, openly and exclusively in the interests of our voters.

We are part of the people of Russia, we are against benefits and privileges for the people’s deputies, and therefore, we declare that from the first day of the work of the State Duma of the new convocation, members of the Yabloko faction will refuse parliamentary benefits and privileges:

I. ALL DEPUTIES OF THE STATE DUMA FROM THE YABLOKO PARTY:

– undertake to monthly transfer the difference between the salary of a deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and the average salary in Moscow (with a faction of 30 people this amount will total per year at least: 355,000 roubles x 30 x 12 = 127,800,000 roubles) to orphanages or children’s medical institutions to help needy children;

– refuse to use personal State Duma provided vehicles for personal needs, both in Moscow and when traveling to the regions;

– refuse to participate in any commercial activity bringing income to the deputy or his family members. They will demand to ensure the unconditional implementation of the prohibition for deputies to engage in commercial activities and receive income from companies that are close to them;

– refuse to cover from the budget the costs of their travels in business class when travelling by air and first class compartments when travelling by railway, as well as staying in VIP lounges;

– refuse accommodation as deputies in luxury hotel rooms during business trips;

– undertake to annually publish a report not only on their income but also on their expenses;

– undertake to annually publish a report on their work as a deputy.

DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF WORK, THE STATE DUMA DEPUTIES OF THE YABLOKO FACTION COMMITT TO SUBMIT TO THE DUMA FOR CONSIDERATION THE FOLLOWING DRAFT LAWS:

–  on the abolition of the special preferential pension system and the system of medical support for deputies. To amend Article 29 “Medical, household and pension provision of a senator of the Russian Federation, a deputy of the State Duma” of the Federal Law “On the status of a senator of the Russian Federation and the status of a deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation” No. 3-FZ dated 08.05.1994, (hereinafter “the Law on the status of a deputy”), equating pension, medical, and recreation-and-resort services to the rules and rates applicable to ordinary citizens of the Russian Federation;

– on the refusal of a lump-sum allowance for each family member of a State Duma deputy when moving to Moscow;

– on the reduction of the duration of the vacation of a State Duma deputy to the vacsation of an ordinary working citizen of Russia, i.e. from 42 to 28 days;

– on the refusal from gratuitous travel in city public transport (i.e. completely abolish Article 33 of the Law on the status of a deputy);

– on the complete refusal to cover from the budget the costs of travels in business class when travelling by air and first class compartments when travelling by railway, as well as staying in VIP lounges;

– on the deputies’ refusal of accommodation in luxury hotel rooms during business trips;

– on the annual publication of not only income, but expenses of a deputy. Provide in the law for inspections in the event of a significant discrepancy between income and expenses.

II. WE PROMISE TO MAKE ALL WE CAN AND SPARE NO EFFORT SO THAT TO:

radically turn around the political course of the country ensuring:

– peace and friendly relations with the neighbouring European countries;

– continuous growth in the well-being of citizens;

– restraining of the growth of prices;

– a real fight against corruption;

– the priority of healthcare, education and the fight against crime. The health and safety of the elder generation will be our priority.

– making the State Duma a body dependent first of all on the will of the citizens of Russia.

– changing the political system of Russia – putting the Russian state at the service of Russian citizens, basing on freedom, law and justice, equality of citizens of the country, respect for the individual and human rights.

This will launch real changes in the interests of the absolute majority of Russian citizens and the transition:

from the power of corruption to the rule of law,

from state lies to truth,

from insurmountable inequality to justice,

from violence to dignity,

from humiliation of a person to respect for a person.

Towards a life without fear in our home country!

Watch the press conference of Yabloko in Interfax where announcement on giving up deputies’ benefits and privileges was made (https://youtu.be/vOcorV7pF8o )

Cover photo by Anton Belitsky / Kommersant