Reborn Russia As An Oligarch

On December 26, the Duma held a special meeting to review and approve the "2004 Fiscal Expenditure Budget" submitted by the government.

Grezlov, Wang Ye, Koloff and other speakers sat on the rostrum.

The representative of the government, Deputy General L and Finance Minister Kudrin, stood at the speaking table below the rostrum and first reported the 2003 national fiscal revenue and expenditure to all members of the Duma.

During this year, the overall trend of national economic development was good, with a high GDP growth rate.

Of course, everyone just listens to these past things and doesn’t pay too much attention to them. The key is next year’s economic development.

Kudrin then first announced the government's expectations for the country's economic development next year, believing that GDP growth can still be maintained at a high level and the country's economy will further improve.

In order to improve the plight of various agencies and departments, the fiscal expenditure budget for 2004 was specially increased to three trillion rubles!

When hearing this amount, the conference hall that had been quiet finally became noisy.

Many congressmen were whispering among themselves below because they had not received this news before.

Although Wang Ye and Gryzlov had already greeted members of their respective factions before the meeting, the Economic Committee also discussed this plan several times.

But there are still many members who don’t know, and they don’t need to know.

Anyway, this kind of plan will not touch the personal interests of the MPs. Under normal circumstances, they will follow the wishes of their respective faction leaders and either raise their hands to agree or express opposition.

After Kudrin finished his report, Wang Ye took the lead to speak, recognizing the outstanding work done by the government and saying that he was also very optimistic about the national economic development next year, so there is no problem for the government to increase the expenditure budget!

The Economic Committee has unanimously approved the financial report.

He has set the tone. The Economic Committee itself is in charge of economic issues and has a great say in this regard.

After Wang Ye, Grezlov spoke immediately. He also strongly praised the work of the government, believing that in the past year, government departments have made great efforts and successfully completed the economic development goals at the beginning of the year.

And after achieving such good results, we have not relaxed yet, and have proposed a relatively high development goal for next year...

The speeches of the two speakers one after another also made all Duma members understand one thing, that is, the "heads" above have reached a consensus, and this financial report can be passed smoothly!

The other deputy speakers did not need to speak at all, and even Koloff, the leader of the second faction, remained silent and did not raise any objections.

Not to mention that this financial report did not touch the interests of the second faction. Even if it did, he would have no way to resist.

Because both the first and third factions agree, there are enough votes!

In the report produced by Kudrin, the most critical thing is naturally the fiscal expenditure budget for next year.

And this budget was modified by Wang Ye.

It is a full 500 billion rubles higher than the original expenditure budget!

But Wang Ye is not worried about not being able to pass. For him who has secured the second position in the Duma, it is simply too easy for him to push forward a plan that does not hinder the interests of the major factions.

The next voting session was as calm as Wang Ye expected.

All 450 members voted in favor, 428 voted in favor, 15 abstained, and 7 voted against!

Those who abstained from voting were basically because the legislators involved were abroad and could not attend the meeting in time.

As for those who oppose it, it’s those small factions trying to make their presence known...

With a "bang" sound, Gryzlov knocked down the gavel in his hand, and the "Financial Report" was officially passed in the Duma...

…………

After finishing the government's financial report, this year's Duma work has been successfully concluded.

As usual, the New Year is approaching and the Duma will be on vacation again.

It will not be busy again until mid-January.

But this year’s situation is special. Even at the end of the year, no one dares to relax and even gets busier.

Because the new election will begin in March next year!

As a member of the Duma, you are used to enjoying all kinds of preferential treatment and "privileges". Who doesn't want to be re-elected!

And for most congressmen, once they lose the election during the election, it is equivalent to "industry"!

His status and influence within the faction will also immediately decline significantly.

Therefore, as long as they are still healthy and can continue to work, most congressmen will seek re-election.

In other words, starting from this meeting, the campaign has really entered a fever pitch!

On December 28, the state news agency, in conjunction with major media outlets, released the latest faction support ratings.

It should be noted that the election of members of the Duma and the presidential election are separate. The election of members of the Duma comes first and the presidential election follows.

However, the result of the presidential election can basically be judged by the number of seats each faction obtains in the Duma!

…………

"Boss, the latest poll results are out, and our faction's spending rate has increased again!" Rosiana walked over happily holding a newspaper.

Wang Ye raised his head, took the newspaper handed over by Rosiana, and asked with a smile: "Oh? How many percentage points has it increased?"

He still remembered that in October, not long after the election campaign began, the media conducted a poll. At that time, Wang Ye's factional support rate had increased a lot.

According to the results of that poll, the support rate of the first faction dropped significantly, to 45%.

The support rate for the second faction, the Moscow faction, has dropped even further, to only 16%.

As for Wang Ye's faction, the support rate increased significantly to 20%.

Also worth mentioning is Kovchenko’s new faction, with an approval rating of 6%.

"It has increased by five percentage points! Looking at this trend, it is estimated that it will not be impossible to reach 30% by the time of the election." Rosiana said happily.

Prominently placed on the front page of the newspaper are the latest poll results.

After looking at it, Wang Ye frowned.

The support rate of the first faction is actually still declining, now only 40%.

For your own faction, the rate increased from 20% to 25%!

As for the second faction, it dropped slightly, from 16% to 14%.

Kovchenko’s new faction increased from 6% to 11%!

The remaining 10% are various small factions, that is, "others", which basically does not exceed 4%...

This is the result after various factions have fallen out one after another during this period and after an intense propaganda campaign!

It can be seen from the data that the internal situation of the new Duma next year will be very complicated.

The first faction that originally held an absolute advantage has become in danger, and may even only get about one-third of the seats, which is 150 seats!

With this number of seats, even if it still ranks first in the next Duma, if you want to promote any new policy bill, you need to communicate and coordinate with other major factions in advance to win enough support.

Otherwise, it would be almost impossible to rely solely on the strength of their faction.

This alone will lead to a very delicate situation in the Duman, and the second, third and even fourth factions will have a greater say.

This kind of scene is naturally not what Grezlov and the others want to see!

Maybe they can accept that the support rate of the first faction drops to about 50%, and they can get half of the seats, which is at least 200 or more.

But now it is obviously impossible...

Wang Ye’s faction and Hovchenko’s new faction are both rising rapidly!

Perhaps, after the dust settles in the new Duma election, their two factions are very likely to become the new "second faction" and "third faction"!

As for the original Moscow faction, it will be pushed to fourth place.

Of course, these are currently just poll support rates and do not represent the final results.

There is still some time before the actual election voting. During this period, anything can happen and public opinion may change.

But obviously, this new poll result will seriously stimulate the major factions, especially the first and second factions, making them invest more and more recklessly!

"It seems that we have to work harder and add another US$300 million in funds. Now more and more people are defecting to our faction, and the original budget is no longer enough." After Wang Ye pondered for a moment, he nodded. Said without looking up.

Rosiana nodded and said: "Misha, then our campaign goal should also be revised. Looking at it now, one hundred seats should be no problem. One hundred and twenty seats are guaranteed, and even one hundred and fifty seats are available. It's possible."

Wang Ye smiled and shook his head, "What are you thinking! There are still one hundred and fifty seats. Do you know what this number means?"

Rosiana was a little unconvinced and pouted: "Why is it impossible? I think it's worth a try!"

Wang Ye smiled and said nothing.

Duma seats are fixed, four hundred and fifty!

So, if some factions get more seats, it means that other factions will get fewer seats.

If your faction can really get 150 seats, then there will only be 300 seats left for the other factions to divide.

No matter how depressed Gryzlov's faction is, it can still account for about half of the remaining seats...

Then there is a possibility that Wang Ye's faction will occupy the most seats and become the largest faction in the Duma!

And Gryzlov's faction came in second place with a gap of several seats...

This is outrageous.

Because Wang Ye’s faction does not plan to send representatives to participate in the presidential election!

Judging from the current situation, Puding still has a huge advantage in next year's general election.

Moreover, there is no doubt that the presidential candidate recommended by Grezlov and others is still Pu Ding.

At that time, there is a high probability that Wang Ye will take over as Speaker of the Duma. After all, his faction has become the largest faction in the Duma. Even if he does not want to be, he must take into account the interests of the faction and the thoughts of the members within the faction.

Anyway, just thinking about it gives me a headache, so Wang Ye would rather not let his faction get so many seats.

The big tree attracts the wind!

He still prefers to keep a low profile. It is enough to have about a hundred seats and a greater influence in the Duma.

I don’t want to run for president, so why do I need so many seats...

Moreover, the more seats and members a faction acquires, the more complex its internal relationships will be, and its management will become more difficult.

"By the way, come with me to my uncle's house after get off work. We haven't seen him for a long time. Let's go and see him." Wang Ye said casually.

In the past, he would go to such activities alone.

But now we have to call Rosiana. Anyway, the two of them are engaged...

Of course Rosiana would not refuse, but she knew that Wang Ye's only relative was Hovchenko.

This is equivalent to following Wang Ye to meet his "parents-in-law", how could he refuse!

…………

In Hovchenko's apartment, the three of them had a sumptuous dinner together, talking and laughing happily.

It can be seen that Hovchenko has lost some weight, but his energy looks better and he is full of energy.

Perhaps it's because he is currently busy with his own ideals, and he is more interested in these than doing business.

"Misha, you've seen the latest polls, right? Congratulations, you'll have to wait and see! Next year, it's hoped to become the largest faction in the Duma, so it's your turn to take the position of Speaker of the Duma, right? ." Hovchenko said with a smile.

Wang Ye quickly waved his hand and said humbly:

“Uncle, don’t laugh at me, this is just a poll and does not represent the actual election results.

I still know what the strength of our faction is. If we fight to the death, we can get a hundred...one hundred and one seats. No more will be impossible, and we don't have that many people.

As for the Speaker of the Duma, it is most likely Gryzlov, and everyone has a good opinion of him. "

Hovchenko glared at him.

"What are you worried about?!

It's yours, why not take the initiative to fight for it!

In the political arena, you have to fight for everything by yourself, and no one will take the initiative to give you benefits.

Now that you have nothing to worry about, some may even want to see you be more active.

The cake is already placed in front of you, you only need to move your knife and fork to eat it.

What are you waiting for! "

Wang Ye was stunned. He didn't expect Hovchenko to say such words.

Yes, I have been restrained and worried about that, for what on earth!

If in the past, I kept a low profile and did not dare to touch the interests of others, it was indeed because of hidden dangers.

Just a question of identity is equivalent to tying Wang Ye's hands and feet.

But what now?

When I got engaged to Rosiana, the ceremony was so grand, wasn't it just to "untie" myself?

I no longer have any worries, and I can now give it a go and strive for the greatest benefit.

Even recently, so many people from the first faction have switched to their own faction. What does this mean?

Maybe it's not what I feared.

Is it possible that someone is secretly supporting him and hoping that his faction will become bigger as soon as possible, even if it becomes the first faction in the Duma?

After all, no matter public or private, I will not pose any threat to the Kremlin early!