MOSCOW, June 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's lower house of parliament will consider in the second reading a bill banning deputies from changing their party membership, the first deputy speaker said Tuesday.
Lyubov Sliska said the draft law would only allow a State Duma deputy to be a member of the political party on whose list he or she was elected. If the bill goes onto the statute books, deputies will be stripped of their powers if they change party affiliation.
The bill also covers members of legislative assemblies in Russia's 88 constituent members.
The second reading of three is the most important under Russia's legislative process, as lawmakers can make amendments to the text of bills.
