State Duma Deputy Alexei Zhuravlev has drafted a bill prohibiting state organizations from spending more than 1 million rubles ($30,300) on personal cars for officials.
"One can buy a good car for 1 million rubles. State Duma deputies use them, but heads of district administrations presume they can use much more expensive cars," Zhuravlev told Izvestia Thursday.
The lawmaker claims he has collected 146,000 signatures in support of the initiative, Interfax reported.
The bill will not ban state officials from using luxury cars if they are purchased with personal funds and not used during regular office hours.
Valery Trapeznikov, a deputy from United Russia, endorsed the initiative from his fellow party member. He said all state officials with the exception of the president and the prime minister should use vehicles assembled in Russia.
Another initiative proposed by opposition activist and Moscow mayoral candidate Alexei Navalny seeks a 1.5 million ruble spending limit on official vehicles and has collected 100,000 signatures on the "Russian Public Initiatives" online platform for petitions, Lenta.ru reported.
Based on last year's income declarations many state officials have a taste for luxury brand cars, like presidential envoy to the North Caucasus Alexander Khloponin's 9 million ruble Bentley and 8 million ruble Mercedes.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
