Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 965 - 882: Taking Too Big a Step_2

Chapter 965: Chapter 882: Taking Too Big a Step_2

"This is a good proposal!

Frankly, I’ve long been fed up with the work attitude of those departments; it’s high time they were taken in hand.

The reason the country hasn’t developed well over these years is largely due to those people’s responsibility."

He was a veritable "old angry youth," having privately complained to Wang Ye many times before. Government department officials were superficial in their work, and every petty bureaucrat with a hint of real power was steeped in corruption, almost hollowing out the national economy with their depravity.

Unfortunately, he had never held real power, so he was helpless even though his heart was willing.

Now that he heard Mikhail was taking the lead in setting up an integrity committee to staunchly curb this perverse trend, he would, of course, strongly support it.

The other vice speakers didn’t have any objections and all expressed their agreement.

After all, whether this matter could be accomplished or not, Mikhail would bear the brunt of it, and it didn’t relate to them much.

If it did succeed, then it would mean an expansion of the Duma’s influence and actual power, which would be beneficial for everyone, so naturally, they would not oppose it.

Seeing everyone in agreement, Wang Ye smiled slightly. This was within his expectations.

Establishing an Integrity Committee, a powerful institution, was definitely a beneficial matter for the Duma.

And the government couldn’t really object because it was one of Duma’s powers.

Previously, it was just that they hadn’t truly exercised this power. Now they wanted to implement it. At least publicly, no one could oppose it.

Once the chairmen and vice chairmen settled this matter, and followed the Duma congress process, then the Integrity Committee could officially start preparations.

However, there was still a key issue that needed to be resolved.

That is, who should be in charge of this newly established committee!

Originally, nobody considered this a problem. In the minds of people like Grezlov and Rilinov, the chairman of this committee would of course be Mikhail.

After all, he suggested the establishment of the institution, and the main projects being supervised were part of his Great Infrastructure Project.

And this institution had great power!

Such a "fat position," Mikhail wouldn’t possibly hand it over to someone else...

But Wang Ye surprised everyone once again.

He said with a smile, "Regarding the director of the Integrity Committee, I recommend Deputy Speaker Rilinov for the position, does anyone have any objections?"

With these words, everyone was somewhat taken aback because it was quite a surprise!

Rilinov was both shocked and delighted. He truly hadn’t expected that a huge windfall would really fall from the sky and hit him on the head!

Grezlov looked at Wang Ye with a bit of confusion and asked tentatively, "Why? Is Chairman Mikhail not interested in this committee? In my view, you are the most suitable candidate."

He wasn’t wrong.

The most suitable candidate for the director of the Integrity Committee was undoubtedly Mikhail!

Because while the committee had great power, the tasks involved were bound to offend people...

Given this, the chairman of the committee had to be someone with a strong reputation and an authoritative style of doing things!

On this point, in the entire Duma, perhaps only Mikhail would fit.

More crucially, Mikhail now enjoyed towering power, with influence both within the Duma, the Kremlin, and among the populace. Everyone had to give him some face...

Rilinov, perhaps, only had the right temperament for this position, but in any other aspect, he was far from comparable to Mikhail.

Even himself, as the true chairman of the Duma, Grezlov felt that he couldn’t compare to Mikhail anymore, even though Mikhail was just the so-called "First Vice Speaker"...

......

Wang Ye smiled and said jokingly:

"Chairman, are you trying to work me to death?

After this committee is set up, it will be incredibly busy, demanding a considerable amount of time and energy.

As everyone knows, I’m currently holding the duties of two committee directors, while also managing the work within the faction and the Duma.

Oh, and there are also several group companies.

I’m simply too laden with tasks!

Everyone has seen the capability of Deputy Speaker Rilinov."

"He just so happens to be quite free right now, so isn’t this the perfect time for him to shoulder the burden and take charge of this committee?"

There was truth in his words. Rilinov was indeed idle; aside from holding the title of Deputy Speaker Duma, he only chaired an insignificant committee and had little of consequence to occupy him.

Moreover, with his upright character and serious approach to work, he was indeed well-suited to this position from a personality standpoint.

As for prestige, yes, he was lacking a bit in that area, but it wouldn’t matter since Wang Ye would support him.

Rilinov, for his part, was not modest. He thumped his chest and assured everyone, saying:

"Haha, it’s not that I’m greedy for power, it’s just that the scope of this committee’s responsibilities is so fitting for me.

I love doing things that offend people!

Of course, those I offend are all the corrupt officials, those who occupy positions without fulfilling their duties, those who are a disgrace to the country and the people!

Since Deputy Speaker Mikhail trusts me and has recommended me for this committee,

I won’t be modest. I’ll make a statement here and now.

After taking over as the head of the Integrity Committee, I will ensure that everything is done fairly, justly, and openly. I won’t wrong a single competent official, nor will I let a single corrupt official off the hook!"

Upon hearing his declaration, Wang Ye was the first to start applauding, followed by the other chairmen joining in.

If Wang Ye was unwilling to take this position, then Rilinov was indeed the most suitable choice.

The other chairmen had no desire to compete with him for the position, as everyone understood that while the committee held significant power, its duties involved offending people...

...

After the meeting had ended, the matter was settled.

In a few days, at the Duma Congress, Wang Ye would formally propose the establishment of the "Integrity Committee" to be put to a voting decision by all the congressmen.

Once the vote passed, Rilinov would assume the role of chairman of the committee, responsible for the official preparatory work of the institution.

In the future, this committee would also become one of Duma’s "sharp blades"!

Its establishment subtly indicates that the current Duma is growing stronger, with its power also expanding.

It’s even starting to carve out a piece for itself from the Kremlin’s "traditional sphere of influence."

Whether this will provoke backlash from the Kremlin or government agencies, that remains to be seen.

Perhaps this is also one of the reasons Wang Ye does not want to head this committee.

He just hasn’t said it outright...

But these initiatives must be advanced as they concern Wang Ye’s plans for the future.

He envisions that the power of the Duma must gradually increase, ultimately achieving true "separation of powers"!

It’s not to say that the Duma should overrule the Kremlin, but it should be on an equal footing.

Because his base lies in the Duma.

What a great place this is, not too conspicuous, not bearing too much pressure, and allowing continuous re-elections...

Let whoever wants to sit in the Kremlin take that seat; for now, Wang Ye has no such desire.

...

Days later, at the Duma Congress, the proposal to establish the Integrity Committee received unanimous support from all the deputies and passed with a full vote.

Clearly, on issues like these, there is a consensus of interests, making it unlikely for anyone to oppose.

Anyone against it would be positioned against the collective interests of the Duma, becoming a "public enemy" and would find it difficult to continue within the Duma.

After completing the Duma’s internal procedures, an official document was drafted, notifying the Upper House, the Kremlin, and government-related departments.

It was not to seek their approval, but to inform them that the Duma now had such a department, to clarify its scope of responsibilities, and to express hope for cooperation with various departments in the future!

That’s how assertive it was!

The reaction from all sides was as Wang Ye expected, with no one openly opposing, and everyone tacitly accepting.

Of course, what sort of thoughts or responses they held behind the scenes remained unknown for the time being.

It might be only when the Integrity Committee truly touches some party’s interests that it will encounter real resistance...