The lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, opens its autumn session on Tuesday. The deputies are gathering after their summer recess for the last round of sessions before the general election on December, 2.
In order to pass all the laws and go election campaigning, the deputies have agreed to work on a tight schedule and hold extra meetings. Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov said the chamber will focus on implementing the goals outlined in this year's Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly. They include pension reforms, creating special economic zones in Russian ports, road-building, and atomic energy. The deputies will also focus on the so-called “Olympic Law” to provide a legal framework to prepare for the 2014 winter Olympic Games in the Russian resort of Sochi.