7th State Duma
The State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the 7th convocation () is a former convocation of the lower house of Russian parliament. The composition of the 7th State Duma was based on the results of the 2016 parliamentary election. Elections were held using a mixed system: 225 deputies were elected on party lists and 225 — in single-member constituencies. Of the 14 parties participating in the elections, only four were able to overcome the required 5% electoral threshold. Two more parties and one independent candidate were able to enter the State Duma via  single-mandate constituencies. Leadership. The first meeting, according to tradition, was held by its eldest deputy, 86-year-old Zhores Alferov (CPRF). Alferov was joined on the podium by other elder deputies Valentina Tereshkova (UR), Vladimir Zhirinovsky (LDPR), Galina Khovanskaya (SR). On 5 October 2016, Vyacheslav Volodin was elected Chairman of the State Duma. Election of Chairman. On 23 September 2016, President Vladimir Putin proposed that United Russia nominate Vyacheslav Volodin to the post of Chairman of the State Duma. The majority leader Vladimir Vasilyev said that the United Russia faction will support the candidacy of Volodin. On 24 September , United Russia approved candidates for the posts of chairman and Vice Chairmen of the State Duma. The heads of the Liberal Democratic Party and A Just Russia factions also announced their support for Volodin. The Communist Party nominated Dmitry Novikov for the position of Chairman of the State Duma. Factions. After the election, four parliamentary factions formed. The largest fraction consists of 335 Deputies, consisting of 334 deputies from United Russia and one Independent Deputy. United Russia increased the number of their faction by more than 100 seats, thus obtaining a constitutional majority (2/3 of seats). In first time since  2007, two small parties were also able to pass in addition to the four major parties in the State Duma. Both parties have one Deputy, and they are not included in one of the factions. The Rodina party received representation in the State Duma, the first since 2003. Also in the State Duma was the party of Civic Platform, which participated in the elections for the first time. Committees and Commissions. Committees. On September 26, 2016, fractions distributed positions of heads of committees. Members. Vacant seats. By-elections were held for seats that became vacant from September 2016 to June  2020. Seats that became vacant after 19 June 2020, for which no by-elections will be held, since by law by-elections are not held if MPs are elected for a term of less than a year before the next election.