MOSCOW, February 10, 2004. (RIA Novosti). State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov is to become a common party member of the United Russia party, State Duma Vice Speaker Vladimir Katrenko, a member of the United Russia faction, told journalists.
Gryzlov announced this decision before the meeting of the faction presidium, Katrenko added.
"Now the law does not prohibit me to join the party and I am going to do this soon," the speaker said.
Gryzlov has always been the United Russia leader, however, being the Russian Interior Minister, he could not join any political organization.
