The key facts
- Vyacheslav Volodin plans to appoint former deputies Alexander Yushchenko (KPRF) and Vitaly Yefimov (United Russia) as advisers
- Yushchenko was elected to the State Duma three times but did not receive a mandate following the 2026 elections
- 86-year-old Yefimov headed the Transport Ministry in Chernomyrdin's government in the 1990s
Volodin brings former deputies in as advisers
State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin has decided to bring two former deputies into his team — communist Alexander Yushchenko and former Russian Transport Minister Vitaly Yefimov. Both will become advisers to the speaker of the lower house of parliament. The information about the personnel decisions was confirmed to Vedomosti by Volodin himself and the State Duma press service. Documents for Yushchenko's appointment are currently being processed.
Who is Yushchenko
Alexander Yushchenko represents the KPRF and serves as press secretary to party leader Gennady Zyuganov. He was elected to the State Duma three times, but did not receive a deputy mandate as a result of the September 2026 elections. The politician ran in the Ufa single-mandate district and headed the regional group of communists in Bashkiria.
The second adviser — Vitaly Yefimov
Vitaly Yefimov, who is 86 years old, represented United Russia in the State Duma of the VI, VII and VIII convocations. In the 1990s he headed the Ministry of Transport in Viktor Chernomyrdin's government. In his last deputy term Yefimov represented Saratov Region, but was not included in the party lists for the 2026 elections.
The apparatus's arguments and precedents
The parliament's staff explained that when selecting advisers they take into account the professional qualities of former deputies and their many years of legislative experience. In the view of representatives of the chamber, such specialists can remain useful after the end of their deputy careers. Previously, former deputies Sergei Reshulsky of the KPRF, as well as United Russia members Nikolai Gonchar and Gennady Kulik, had already worked as Volodin's advisers.
Context: Volodin's re-election
On September 30, Vyacheslav Volodin was re-elected Chairman of the State Duma for a third consecutive term. His candidacy was supported by 90.2% of deputies, while KPRF representative Dmitry Novikov received 8% of the votes. At its first session, the new composition of parliament formed 34 committees, including a separate committee for digital development and artificial intelligence. The lower house was renewed by 41%: 184 people received deputy mandates for the first time.
