Moscow, 14 April 1998 (RFE/RL) -- Russia's Prime Minister-designate Sergei Kiriyenko made a conciliatory gesture toward parliament today by offering deputies cooperation on key decisions. Government spokesman Igor Shabdurasulov said that in messages to the speakers of both houses, Kiriyenko proposed establishing commissions of parliamentary and government representatives to discuss industrial policy, social policy, the budget and tax collection.
Kiriyenko failed to get confirmation in a first vote in the Duma last week and will face a second round of voting on Friday.
Earlier today, Duma speaker Gennady Seleznyov, a Communist, urged deputies to approve Kiriyenko because he thinks it is more important that the Duma completes its term through December 1999. Yeltsin has threatened to dissolve the Duma if it fails three times to confirm Kiriyenko.
Seleznyov, who met today with Yeltsin, said he expected Kiriyenko to win at least 235 votes in the Duma vote on Friday. He needs a simple majority of 226 votes to be confirmed.
Kiriyenko failed to get confirmation in a first vote in the Duma last week and will face a second round of voting on Friday.
Earlier today, Duma speaker Gennady Seleznyov, a Communist, urged deputies to approve Kiriyenko because he thinks it is more important that the Duma completes its term through December 1999. Yeltsin has threatened to dissolve the Duma if it fails three times to confirm Kiriyenko.
Seleznyov, who met today with Yeltsin, said he expected Kiriyenko to win at least 235 votes in the Duma vote on Friday. He needs a simple majority of 226 votes to be confirmed.