The bill has become milder and more democratic since its initial reading, say many MPs. Its basic concept, of public action authorisation to be replaced with mere notification, remains intact. Approved amendments abolish executives' right to turn down notifications they receive from action organisers.
The bill envisages a greater length of public action with one organiser-five days running, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The organiser shall notify a respective executive body no earlier than 15 days and no later than ten days before the action start, says the bill.
Another amendment allows pickets to notify executives three days before action.
The bill abolishes a ban, present in the first reading, on rallies and pickets close to federal and local executive and legislative premises, and foreign legations. Protesters are allowed to block highways.
A ban survives on public action in front of federal presidential residences, judicial premises and prisons.
Parliamentary groups clashed in debates. The United Russia-majority group-alone spoke for the bill. Communists said it was "draconian". Liberal Democrats and nationalists of the Rodina (Motherland) group also find the bans excessive, and encroaching on civil rights and freedoms.
Lyubov Sliska, Duma Deputy Speaker of the United Russia, thinks the house will eventually pass the bill, she said after today's vote: "We'll get it through after the committee prepares a third reading." She says she expected more heated debates today.
Miss Sliska pointed out essential amendments, which spectacularly improve the bill.
Sergei Reshulsky, Communist group deputy leader, is of a contrasting opinion. "The bill ushers in barrack-room ways. The very concept underlying it is thoroughly wrong. My group will not put up with it," he said. All Communist MPs voted "no", and will call public sympathisers for protest demonstrations.
