Deputies Alekhin and Bessarab proposed to make December 31 a day off on a permanent basis 
Members of the State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans Affairs Andrey Alekhine and Svetlana Bessarab proposed to make December 31 a day off in the country forever. Their words are quoted by URA.RU.
As noted by the deputies, on the last day of the year, half of the working day is usually spent on preparing for holidays and corporate parties. It is necessary “to do to close this topic once and for all so that people no longer worry,” added the parliamentarians.
If December 31 becomes a permanent day off, it will be necessary to postpone the days in which Russians will rest, intended for other holidays … Probably, it will be necessary to move the spring weekend, the deputies concluded.
Earlier, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the Russian military will receive two days off before the New Year holidays. The personnel of the armed forces will rest on December 29 and 30 for the previous working Saturdays, the head of the Ministry of Defense specified.
New Year's holidays for residents of Russia will last from December 31 to January 9. In total, next year the Russians will rest for 118 days.