Russian President Vladimir Putin has chosen 40 candidates recommended to join the Public Chamber, RIA Novosti reports.
At least half of the candidates are members of non-commercial organizations and professional unions.
Putin signed the bill on new order of formation of the Public Chamber in late December 2013. According to the president, the Chamber will be a platform to express interests of professional and social groups, associations and unions.
The Public Chamber will consist of 166 members: 40 chosen by the president, 83 by regional parliaments, 43 by public organizations via Internet votes. The first session of the Public Chamber formed using the new system will be held no later than on July 1, 2014.
