Russian President Vladimir Putin has decreed the newly elected State Duma will hold its first session on December 24th, the official gazette said today.
Mr Putin led the candidate list of his United Russia party in its landslide victory in the December 2nd parliamentary election. The party won 315 seats in the 450-member chamber.
United Russia will hold its congress on December 17th and nominate its candidate for speaker in the State Duma, or lower house of parliament. The nomination is expected to be approved during the first session.
Mr Putin, due to step down next year, has said United Russia's overwhelming victory in the polls would give him "a moral right" to influence government even after the end of his presidency.
Earlier this week Mr Putin backed First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, his long-time ally, to succeed him.
Mr Medvedev (42), the chairman of gas giant Gazprom, said on Tuesday he wanted Mr Putin to become prime minister under him, enabling Mr Putin to retain influence after his eight-year term expires.
Mr Putin's party and its allies will have a total of 393 votes in the State Duma, enabling authorities to effectively push any decision through parliament.