On June 20, 2012, the deputies of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg considered the issue and adopted a resolution that officially obliges members of parliament and journalists to adhere to a business dress code when visiting the Mariinsky Palace.
The deputies voted almost unanimously to introduce a business dress code. However, the adopted resolution did not specify what exactly is a business style and how exactly you need to dress in order to be able to get to a meeting of the legislative council.
Vitaly Milonov especially stressed that if a deputy comes to a meeting of the legislative assembly dressed not according to the protocol, he has the right to not be allowed to work. According to Milonov, deputies, journalists from accredited media and staff of the apparatus are required to attend official events in business suits.
At the same time, the head of the committee gave a vivid example that Jacques Chirac never gave the floor to journalists without a tie. Milonov also noted that in the cultural capital, it would seem, this issue does not require discussion. But it has to be raised, as there have been cases when MPs came to a meeting of the Legislative Assembly in T-shirts, jeans, sneakers or in open slippers. Journalists are used to visiting the Mariinsky Palace in whatever they have to.
34 deputies voted for the adoption of the resolution. The opposition, as always, was against such a decision. Opposition members believe that consideration of such frivolous issues distracts parliamentarians from solving more important matters.
Despite the opposition’s statements, the decision on the introduction of the dress code was adopted. From June 21, the Mariinsky Palace can be visited only in business suits. Those who violate this rule will be removed from the courtroom. Journalists may be deprived of their accreditation if they continue to adhere to the free style of dress, not obeying the general requirements.
