DUMA APPROVES PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION LAW.

Voting 302 to 73, more than the two-thirds required, the Duma overrode the objections of the Federation Council and approved the law setting procedures for the upcoming parliamentary election. The Federation Council–Russia’s upper chamber–had twice voted thebill down because it wanted more members to be elected from single-member districts and fewer by party list. The 50-50 split that has been approved will give nationally-known party figures a better chance to be elected and further erode the influence of regions in the new parliament.

Chernomyrdin Bloc Opens Founding Congress.