Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 884 - 843 Two Major Forces

Chapter 884: Chapter 843 Two Major Forces

Having been so righteously chastised by Grezlov, Krov’s face was struggling to maintain composure.

His complexion turned beet red, and he scratched his head, causing his gray hair to become disheveled.

Several times he tried to interrupt Grezlov, but, unfortunately, Grezlov didn’t give him the chance.

When Grezlov finally finished, Krov hurriedly began to defend himself:

"This isn’t entirely my fault, is it?

Everyone knows that a weak country has no diplomacy.

Look at our national economic development over the years, look at our total GDP, which now ranks beyond the top ten in the whole world!

Add to that our former national system and the adversarial relationship with Western countries.

So even though now we have also become a society of freedom and democracy like the Western countries, acceptance still takes a process and needs time..."

Before he could finish, Rilinov, who didn’t get along with him very well, let out a sneering laugh:

"A weak country?

So, in the eyes of our comrade Krov, Russia has become a weak country, huh!

No wonder you always hem and haw when conducting diplomatic relations, never speaking with firmness - how could others respect you!

If you ask me, the main issue is that you, the person in charge, are too spineless; you lack the backbone of Russians, which is why you are looked down upon in the international community, becoming ever more subservient!

On this point, I think Mikhail is infinitely better than you.

He is brimming with work passion, never groveling or arrogant in the face of anyone, and when it comes to advocating for our country’s interests, he argues forcefully and does not easily concede!

That is the quality a qualified diplomat should possess!

Therefore, I support Mikhail as the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee - he would surely do better than you!"

This remark really left no face for Krov, who turned now pale and now red with embarrassment.

The leaders of the other four minor factions also expressed their agreement with Grezlov and Rilinov’s opinions, consenting to Mikhail taking over as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Krov was filled with despair; he finally understood what ’everybody pushes the falling wall’ truly means. This was it!

Wasn’t it just because in this term replacement election, their Moscow Faction had suffered great losses, securing only sixty seats in the Duma?

They had slid from second place to fourth.

The "aftereffects" of their crushing electoral defeat were starting to show...

All other faction leaders had reached a consensus supporting Mikhail as the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and no matter how reluctant he was, it was useless.

Even if he took the matter to the Duma Congress and let all Duma Members vote, he wouldn’t be able to gather enough votes.

Just the Peterburg Faction and Mikhail Faction together already had over three hundred votes!

This would only make his situation more awkward...

Since it was already impossible, Krov no longer resisted stubbornly. He glanced around, forced a smile onto his face, and spoke:

"Since everyone thinks so, I won’t say anymore. The minority must follow the majority.

But, with Mikhail taking the chairman role at the Foreign Affairs Committee, his position as chairman of the Economic Committee will be vacant.

I’m quite familiar with economic work, having served in related government departments for many years.

How about we simply swap places, and I take over as chairman of the Economic Committee!"

He wasn’t stubborn to the end.

To recover some losses, he simply settled for the second-best option, seeking the position of chairman of the Economic Committee.

Although the Economic Committee’s influence in national affairs is slightly less than that of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the difference is not too substantial.

After all, the Economic Committee is also genuinely responsible for domestic economic policy and approving government department financial budgets.

There’s also plenty of room to maneuver in there!

...

Unfortunately, Krov’s wishful thinking did not succeed.

Grezlov scornfully said:

"You?

Have the nerve to take charge of the Economic Committee!?

I want to ask you, in the field of economics, whether during your time in government departments or while working in the Duma, have you achieved anything noteworthy?

Comrade Krov, before you speak, please think it over.

Look at the contributions to national economic development Mikhail has made during his year-plus as chairman of the Economic Committee!

Do you really have the confidence to match his results?"

Krov was left speechless; he truly had not anticipated Grezlov being so blunt.

Suddenly furious, he slammed the meeting table, glaring as he spoke:

"If I’m not suitable for the Economic Committee, then I’d like to ask you, who is!?

Could it be Rilinov?

I can tell everyone responsibly that if he took charge of the Economic Committee, it would be worse than having me!"

According to Duma tradition, the chairpersons of the three major economic committees can only be Vice Speakers.

With only four Vice Speakers including Grezlov, who was to chair the most important committee, and Wang Ye taking over the Foreign Affairs Committee, the only choices left for the Economic Committee chair were Rilinov and Krov.

Compared to Rilinov, Krov indeed knew a bit more about the economy.

He had at least worked in related sectors, while Rilinov had never touched economic work at all!