Russian MPs 'banned from wearing miniskirts'

Russian MPs and their aides will soon have to follow a new ethics code forbidding miniskirts and indiscreet behaviour that may tarnish the image of parliament, a report said on Friday.

State Duma members like former rhythmic gymnast, Alina Kabaeva, will be accountable to the Code of Ethics Photo: ALAMY

11:45PM GMT 25 Mar 2011

The so-called Code of Ethics impacts everyone working in the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, including deputies and their staff members, the Moskovsky Komsomolets daily said.

The code recommends a "business style marked by formality, restraint, tradition, and neatness", which might spell the end of miniskirts and low-cut blouses for many parliamentary assistants, the paper quipped.

Duma workers will also have to minimise contact with journalists, directing all work-related questions to the press service, though in a "polite" manner, the paper said.

And when speaking to each other, they will have to refrain from all "rudeness" and "arrogance", the guidelines prepared on the orders of the president's anti-corruption committee said.

The Russian Duma was infamous for loud arguments and even fist fights during its raucous sessions in the 1990s, although the chamber has now lost much of its spark, with many deputies failing to show up for regular session.