The State Duma of the Russian Federation introduced significant amendments to anti-corruption legislation in just one week. According to the new regulations, officials and lawmakers are no longer required to report their income annually.
Declarations will now only be submitted in "exceptional cases"
The bill, passed on Thursday, December 18, grants extensive exemptions to public servants, municipal employees, and representatives of major corporations with state participation. The annual declaration system, which had been in place since 2009 and disclosed the income and expenses of officials and their family members annually, will now be utilized only under "necessary circumstances."
One of the authors of the bill, Vasily Piskaryov, stated that this move allows Russia to abandon an "outdated and ineffective control system." He emphasized that the fight against corruption will not weaken but will instead be fully digitalized.
"Poseidon" — Monitoring remains, but it is closed to the public
From now on, the financial status of officials will be monitored through the "Poseidon" information system, managed by the presidential administration. However, unlike annual reports, this system will be entirely inaccessible to the public and journalists.
Nonetheless, there are certain cases where the submission of income reports will remain mandatory:
- Participation in elections: Candidates for the State Duma or other positions must disclose their income.
- Appointment to a position: Reporting is required when assuming a new role or transitioning to a higher position.
- Major purchases: If an official or their family purchases stocks, real estate, or cryptocurrency within a year, and the expense exceeds the household’s income over the past three years, a declaration must be submitted.
When will the new regulations take effect?
If the law is approved by the Federation Council and signed by Vladimir Putin by the end of the year, it will come into effect starting January 1, 2026.
It is worth noting that since 2022, Russian officials have been granted the right not to disclose their income online. Additionally, participants in military operations in Ukraine and individuals who were unable to submit reports due to sanctions have been exempted from liability. The new law systematically reinforces these privileges.
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