More United Russia deputies are expected to relinquish their parliamentary seats following the resignation of United Russia Deputy Vladimir Pekhtin on Wednesday, a news report said Thursday.
"Following Pekhtin, another six United Russia Deputies might leave the Duma for similar reasons," a source close to the presidential administration told Vedomosti on Thursday.
"Changes are taking place in the political system and democratic institutions are developing, meaning that if there are calls for reform and transparency, there must be responses as well," he said. "Everyone makes their own decisions, and Pekhtin made the right decision, which is a signal to many."
He said scandals had arisen regarding real estate owned by other members of United Russia, particularly Vladislav Tretyak.
United Russia deputy Sergei Zheleznyak said this information has not yet been confirmed, however.
Vladimir Pekhtin surrendered his parliamentary seat on Wednesday after opposition leader Alexei Navalny published documents purporting to show that Pekhtin co-owned undeclared property worth more than $2 million in Miami and Ormond Beach, Florida.
On Tuesday, United Russia deputies Anatoly Lomakhin and Vasily Tolstopyatov also resigned.
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