The State Duma has opened an internal inquiry after New People deputy faction deputy head Sardana Avksentyeva reported that participation in parliamentary round tables was being sold. According to her, the World Entrepreneurs Alliance offered a speaking slot for 70,000 rubles, attendance without speaking for 50,000 rubles, and a lower-tier format for 35,000 rubles. The offer also included a photo report, a tour of the Duma building, a personalized name card, and mentions in post-event releases.
Avksentyeva said the alliance had already held events in parliament: one on entrepreneurship in November, was preparing one on healthcare in December, and another on psychology in January. After her Telegram post, the group’s website was taken offline.
Two days later, Vyacheslav Volodin announced an internal investigation. The State Duma ethics commission is expected to present its conclusions on December 23. Those under scrutiny are Andrey Svintsov and Kaplan Panesh of the LDPR, and Roza Chemeris of New People. Svintsov and Chemeris deny involvement; Panesh has not publicly commented.
Sources interviewed by the publication, including people working in government relations and inside the Duma, said access to prestigious parliamentary venues can indeed be monetized, though the sums in this case are small and responsibility may ultimately be shifted onto lawmakers’ aides. One former deputy suggested the scandal could also become a tool in internal political competition.
A GR industry source said real lobbying in parliament works differently: through organizing discussions, gauging lawmakers’ positions, helping with regional and election-related tasks, and building informal cooperation afterward. In his estimate, this model applies to about 80 of the 450 deputies. He added that direct bribes are considered too risky, while the main value of deputies for business lies in their ability to send official inquiries to state agencies and strengthen one side’s position in sectoral disputes.
Svintsov said he was drawn into the case because WEA head Nikita Lobanov used to be his aide and worked with bloggers and media figures outside parliament. According to the publication, Panesh and Chemeris came under suspicion because they arranged passes for participants in a paid round table involving deputy Yevgeny Fyodorov. The ethics commission’s recommendations could affect the future careers of those involved, including the possible launch of mandate removal proceedings.