Reform of Russian Academy of Sciences passed

Despite protests, the Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, has approved controversial reforms to the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). The upper house and President Vladimir Putin are both expected to approve the law. There has been a long running conflict between the government, many of whom believe the academy is inefficient, and RAS.

A number of amendments were made during the bill’s third reading on Wednesday, however the core of the reforms, which propose passing management of the academy, its budget and property portfolio to a new governmental agency, remain.