MOSCOW. Nov 23 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian State Duma has extended the New Year's holidays to five days and established a new national holiday, People's Unity Day, for November 4.
Simultaneously, the Duma annulled the holiday commemorating the October Revolution, marked on November 7, Constitution Day, marked on December 12, and May 2.
A bill amending Article 112 of the Labor Code, initiated by the United Russia and Liberal-Democratic Party factions, was upheld in its first reading in a 325 to 100 vote with six abstentions. The minimum number of votes required for the bill's approval was 226.
The following days will be holidays in Russia after the bill is finally approved: January 1 to 5 - New Year's holidays; January 7 - Orthodox Christmas; February 23 - Defenders of the Fatherland Day; March 8 - International Women's Day; May 1 - Spring and Labor Holiday; May 9 - Victory Day; June 12 - Russia Day; and November 4 - People's Unity Day.