OREANDA-NEWS. The heads of Russian regions were asked to personally declare December 31 as a day off, since this initiative is supported by the overwhelming majority of Russians - more than 85 percent of citizens. This initiative was proposed by Sultan Khamzaev, a member of the Public Chamber, head of Sober Russia. This proposal is reported by RIA Novosti.

This bill has already been discussed in legislation. Earlier, the State Duma at a plenary meeting rejected the LDPR bill, which proposed making December 31 a day off.

As Khamzaev recalled in a letter to the governors, this initiative was supported last year by more than 15 regions of Russia, including Crimea, Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, as well as Penza, Oryol, Magadan regions.

In his letter to the governors, Khamzayev says that on the last day of the year, December 31st, Russians should be at home, with their families, and together prepare for the holiday, congratulate relatives and friends. He is sure that the official day off will make the atmosphere on December 31 even more festive, and people more relaxed and happy.

Today, the initiative "December 31 is a day off" is being actively discussed and is warmly supported by representatives of expert communities, deputies, senators, the general public.

However, at the moment the subject of discussion - December 31 - is still a working day. So, in October 2020, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree, according to which December 31 of the next year, 2021, will be a day off. The last day of 2020 will be working.