Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, needs to analyze bills and work out the most effective proposals and not just be a rubber stamp, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
“We need an effectively operating State Duma. Not one that obediently rubber stamps any proposal, as in Soviet times, but one that thinks,” Putin said at a meeting of Russia’s Commerce and Industry Chamber.
“The Duma is designed to think,” Putin said.
The word “duma” derives from the Russian verb “dumat,” which means “think” in English.
The premier said a real parliament is one that “analyzes in a critical manner but ultimately works out effective solutions on economic and political development.”
