January 03, 2023

Keep Calm and Be Polite


Keep Calm and Be Polite
United Russia campaigners in Saint Petersburg during the Russian 2007 election Wikimedia Commons, Lite.

According to RBC, the United Russia party (the largest political party in Russia, holding over 72% of seats in the State Duma) has developed a code of conduct for deputies. The main purpose of the code is to help them avoid media scandals. 

In particular, UR deputies are advised not to rush to react on social networks or in comments to the media. According to the creators of the code, the media advantages of being first to comment can encourage incorrect statements.

In addition, it is categorically not recommended to comment on the "international agenda" or military and internal conflicts in other countries before voicing the official position of the Foreign Ministry. And, of course, UR member comments should not contradict the state's official position.

But that's not all. The code advises members not to write on social networks in an "inadequate" physical and mental state, not to use obscenity, and to control their emotions and reactions.

A separate paragraph in the code suggests that members not post photos or videos of luxury goods, exotic travel, and fancy restaurants on social networks.

RBC does not report on the reasons for the creation of the code of conduct. Yet it is likely related to the frequent scandals that arose as a result of careless statements by UR deputies. 

In particular, in January 2022, deputy Biysultan Khamzaev published a post on Telegram proposing a referendum in Kazakhstan to reunify Kazakhstan with the "historical homeland" of Russia. Soon after, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev publicly declared the inadmissibility of such statements.

Another scandal occurred in February 2022. In a live video on Instagram, United Russia Deputy Adam Delimkhanov promised to decapitate family members of former federal judge Saidi Yangulbayev

After that statement, the Head of the party A Just Russia — For Truth, Sergey Mironov, called on the prosecutor's office to evaluate Delimkhanov's words and even called on the FSB to ensure the safety of the retired judge's family

Scandals have even touched State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin. In September 2022, after the announcement of partial mobilization, Volodin wrote on Telegram that Russians who are on the military register are forbidden from leaving the country without the permission of military commissariats. Only a few hours later, Volodin had to write a new post and report that his previous post was wrong. 

The press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin (the most well-known member of the United Russia party) later had to reassure the Russian public and clarify that the speaker of the State Duma can still be considered a "reliable source of information."

You Might Also Like

Mark My Words
  • December 26, 2022

Mark My Words

A St. Petersburg legislator initiated legal action against Putin for calling the war in Ukraine "war," violating his own laws.
Battle of the Zoo Mascots
  • February 11, 2022

Battle of the Zoo Mascots

A Siberian zoo's mascot competition has ended in fraudulent activity, anger, and political outrage. 
We're in Your Camp! Just Kidding
  • December 15, 2021

We're in Your Camp! Just Kidding

A deputy from Russia’s Rostov Region, who lives in a home with décor that rivals a tsar’s, is suspected of making some of his money stealing from poor kids. Oh my.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955