Chebotarev on the new ethics of deputies: "Such foolish initiatives harm the image of the authorities."

      Today, a draft amendment to the Rules of Deputy Ethics appeared on the website of the Legislative Assembly of the Kirov Region. The author is the Deputy Chair of the Assembly, Irina Morozova (United Russia). According to the document, elected officials may be prohibited from using expressions that discredit the authorities, giving instructions to government bodies, and making deliberately unachievable promises. The opposition has already stated that the wording is vague and could be used to pressure deputies.

      "The Code of Ethics is not for citizens"

      The first thing Chebotarev noted is that the code of deputy ethics is an internal act of the Assembly itself.

      "Deputies adopt it for themselves. It does not apply to anyone other than the deputy corps," the lawyer explained.

      At the same time, he emphasized that deputies do not have the right to prohibit citizens from expressing opinions about the authorities. "Deputies of the Kirov Legislative Assembly do not have the right to prohibit citizens from thinking and expressing themselves towards the authorities in any correct expressions due to the Constitution of the Russian Federation," said Chebotarev.

      "Deputies do not command anyway"

      The lawyer particularly highlighted the point about prohibiting deputies from giving instructions to the executive power.

      "Considering the separation of powers that is established in the Russian Federation, the direct duty of deputies is to adopt those laws that serve as instructions for the executive power. Our initiative deputies would do well to read some smart books," the lawyer explained.

      He reminded that deputies are not endowed with administrative and executive functions. "I can hardly imagine a situation where a deputy of the Legislative Assembly picks up the phone, calls, for example, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kirov Region, and starts giving out some instructions," Chebotarev added.

      "Deliberately unachievable" — who will decide?

      Another point is the prohibition on promises that are deliberately unachievable. The lawyer called the norm unworkable.

      "What does 'deliberately unachievable' mean? Some officials promised to resolve the fuel crisis within a week; could that also be a deliberately unachievable promise? I don't know," he stated.

      In his opinion, deputies have more pressing issues. "In my opinion, deputies probably have more pressing problems that they can address in the interests of all Kirov residents. If there is nothing to do, that's another matter, of course," Chebotarev concluded.

      "This harms the image"

      The lawyer also compared the initiative to the recent decisions of the governor's operational headquarters led by Sokolov regarding fuel station restrictions.

      "Instead of simply coming on television and telling people: 'Guys, here's the situation. Let's show some awareness.' Mr. Sokolov announced that the operational headquarters made a decision. Even and odd fuel stations, restrictions on fuel dispensing, and so on. As a lawyer, my ears perked up. Restrictions on citizens' rights are allowed only in conditions of a state of emergency, which is introduced by a decree of the President of the Russian Federation."

      He emphasized that such initiatives only harm the image of legislative power. "And such foolish initiatives actually harm the image of the legislative power of the Kirov Region," Chebotarev concluded.