The State Duma’s Move to Domestic Software Reignites the Software Sovereignty Debate
In a move aligned with a broader push for national software sovereignty, the State Duma chose homegrown equivalents to Windows and the Microsoft Office suite for its deputies and staff. The purchase reportedly exceeded 52 million rubles, reflecting a strategic bet on locally developed tools. According to Vedomosti, the State Duma Apparatus acquired 1,800 licenses of Russian Windows analogues and MyOffice, intended for deputies and administrative personnel, with the total value around 52.5 million rubles. All licenses were delivered in September.
Specifically, the Duma adopted Astra Linux as a Windows replacement for 29.3 million rubles and procured a 1,800-license bundle of MyOffice as a substitute for Microsoft Office for 23.1 million rubles. The licenses are perpetual and come with upgrade rights for three years. This initiative is presented as part of a deliberate transition to domestic software across the parliament’s infrastructure.
At present, staff across four chambers of the State Duma have begun using the new software, with a planned full switch for deputies and the entire Duma apparatus to follow suit. Yet, inside sources caution that shifts from widely used foreign platforms to Russian systems may pose challenges. The transition could be affected by long-standing usage habits and the need to integrate these tools with existing systems.
MyOffice stands as one of Russia’s leading developers of office software. Founded in 2013, it is listed in the domestic software developer registry. The Astra Group of Companies consolidates several national IT brands, including the Astra Linux operating system, Uveon – Termidesk, a virtual desktop manager by Cloud Technologies, and RuBackup LLC’s backup tools suite.
The background to these purchases includes Microsoft’s exit from the Russian market in March 2022 amid escalating events in Ukraine. The company suspended sales and service provision in Russia, and Bloomberg later reported a reduction of its Russian operations and the layoff of hundreds of Russian employees. Microsoft asserted it would continue servicing existing customers in Russia as agreed. [Source: Vedomosti]
In a broader public policy context, discussions around the Duma’s software choices reflect ongoing questions about national digital autonomy, the reliability of domestic alternatives, and the readiness of public sector workflows to operate fully on locally developed platforms. Analysts note that while domestic software can offer benefits in governance, the transition must address user training, compatibility with state systems, and long-term support arrangements.
Historically, the conversation around software sovereignty has included proposals from lawmakers and industry experts alike. One notable suggestion even touched on standardizing certain operational aspects such as food service logistics within federal facilities, illustrating the wider scope of national autonomy discourse. While such ideas may stir debate, the core emphasis remains on ensuring secure, compatible, and sustainable IT solutions for government operations.