1993 Russian constitutional crisis
In January 1992, the Russian government implemented a radical economic reform program that sent prices skyrocketing overnight. Government spending was slashed while heavy new taxes were imposed on citizens and businesses alike. A deep credit crunch shut down many industries and led to a protracted depression across the nation. Unemployment reached record levels as factories closed their doors and workers lost their livelihoods. By 1993, Russia's gross domestic product had fallen from over two trillion U.S. dollars annually to less than one and a quarter trillion U.S. per annum.
The political confrontation between Boris Yeltsin and the opposition grew increasingly centered in the two branches of government. Alexander Rutskoy, who served as vice president, denounced the Yeltsin program as "economic genocide" during public speeches. Regional leaders from oil-rich republics such as Tatarstan and Bashkiria called for full independence from Moscow throughout 1992. The Supreme Soviet speaker Ruslan Khasbulatov came out in open opposition to the reforms despite claiming to support Yeltsin's overall goals.
Yeltsin wrestled with the Supreme Soviet and the Congress of People's Deputies for control over government policy throughout 1992. On December 9, parliament refused to confirm Yegor Gaidar as prime minister after he became widely unpopular for his market liberalization policies. The Central Bank continued issuing credits to enterprises under parliamentary direction, undermining fiscal austerity measures that Yeltsin sought to implement. This created a situation where the legislature effectively controlled economic levers while the executive branch held presidential authority.
On the 10th of March 1993, the eighth Congress of People's Deputies opened with a strong attack on President Yeltsin by Chairman Khasbulatov. An emergency session voted to amend the constitution and strip Yeltsin of many powers before canceling the scheduled April referendum. The president walked out of the congress building in protest. Vladimir Shumeyko declared that the referendum would proceed but moved its date to April 25.
Yeltsin addressed the nation directly on television on March 20, declaring a "special regime" under which he assumed extraordinary executive power pending referendum results. Constitutional Court chairman Valery Zorkin publicly condemned this declaration as unconstitutional alongside other officials including Prosecutor-General Valentin Stepankov. Despite the ruling, the decree itself did not contain unconstitutional steps when published days later.
The ninth Congress began on March 26 with impeachment discussions against President Yeltsin. He narrowly survived an impeachment vote on March 28, with votes for impeachment falling 72 short of the required two-thirds majority. On April 25, a majority of voters expressed confidence in the president and called for new legislative elections according to official results. However, the parliament refused to implement these results through constitutional mechanisms, leaving Yeltsin without legal authority to govern effectively.
On the 21st of September 1993, Boris Yeltsin declared both the Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Soviet dissolved in a move contradicting multiple articles of the existing constitution. His televised address argued that more than a year of compromise attempts had failed and that the Supreme Soviet was directly against the will of the Russian people. The legislature responded by declaring his decree null and void during an all-night session chaired by Khasbulatov.
Vice President Alexander Rutskoy was proclaimed acting president until new elections could be held. Parliament dismissed key ministers including Defense Minister Pavel Grachev, Security Minister Nikolay Golushko, and Interior Minister Viktor Yerin. Russia now had two presidents and two ministers of defense, security, and interior simultaneously operating from different locations. This dual power structure created immediate confusion throughout government institutions.
Yeltsin cut off electricity, phone service, and hot water to the parliament building on September 24 after Congress voted to hold simultaneous elections by March 1994. He announced presidential elections for June 1994 while refusing to recognize parliamentary decisions. The situation escalated as tens of thousands of Russians marched in Moscow streets seeking to bolster the parliamentary cause. Barricades and wire were put around the White House building on October 1.
On October 3, armed opponents successfully stormed police cordons surrounding the White House territory where parliament was barricaded. Paramilitaries from factions supporting the parliament joined with internal military units normally reporting to the Ministry of Interior. Vice President Rutskoy greeted crowds from the White House balcony and urged them to seize the mayor's office and national television center at Ostankino.
Pro-parliament demonstrators moved toward Ostankino television center in the afternoon but met Militsiya and OMON forces who took positions inside and around the TV complex. A pitched battle followed that significantly damaged part of the television center. Television stations went off the air and 46 people were killed according to official Russian state estimates including Terry Michael Duncan, an American lawyer attempting to help wounded victims.
By sunrise on October 4, the Russian army encircled the parliament building after hours of equivocation about how to respond to Yeltsin's call for action. Ten tanks fired at upper floors of the White House while special troops of Vympel and Alpha units prepared to storm premises. At 8:00 am Moscow time, army tanks began shelling the White House, punching holes in its front facade. By noon, troops entered the building floor by floor and occupied it completely.
The official list of dead presented the 27th of July 1994 included 147 people: 45 civilians and one serviceman killed at Ostankino plus 77 civilians and 24 military personnel from Defense and Interior Ministries in the White House area. Some claim as many as 1,500 people died during the fighting though government originally refused to report accurate numbers. Two French journalists, one British journalist, and one American journalist died from sniper fire during the massacre while a fifth journalist died from a heart attack.
A poll conducted by VCIOM found that 70% of respondents believed Yeltsin's use of military force was justified immediately after October 1993 events. This support declined significantly over time; when asked again in 2010 only 41% agreed with using military force while 59% opposed it. Nine years following the crisis, most popular blame shifted to Mikhail Gorbachev's legacy rather than immediate participants.
On the 23rd of February 1994, the State Duma granted amnesty to all individuals involved in September-October 1993 events. They were released from jail later that year once Yeltsin's position became sufficiently secure. Criminal proceedings were discontinued in early 1995 and eventually placed into archives without further legal action against any participants.
Yeltsin pushed through his new constitution on December 12, creating strong presidential powers while giving parliament limited authority. The bicameral legislature would sit for only two years before facing potential dissolution if repeating no-confidence votes. The president could choose prime ministers even when parliament objected and appoint military leadership without parliamentary approval.
The central bank became independent but required State Duma approval to appoint its governor who would then operate independently of parliament. The president gained veto power over bills passed by simple majority requiring two-thirds legislative vote to override. Impeachment procedures were effectively removed as the president could not be charged for contravening the constitution itself.
Elections held simultaneously with the referendum delivered a stunning rebuke to Yeltsin's neoliberal economic program despite his constitutional victory. Candidates identified with his policies received only 15.5% of votes while Communists drew 12.4% and ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party led by Vladimir Zhirinovsky gained 23%. Turnout reached about 53% as voters expressed dissatisfaction with economic conditions through their ballot choices.
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Common questions
What caused the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis between Boris Yeltsin and parliament?
The conflict arose from radical economic reforms implemented in January 1992 that caused prices to skyrocket, unemployment to reach record levels, and gross domestic product to fall by over half. Political confrontation intensified as Vice President Alexander Rutskoy denounced these measures as economic genocide while regional leaders called for independence.
When did Boris Yeltsin dissolve the Supreme Soviet during the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis?
Boris Yeltsin declared both the Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Soviet dissolved on the 21st of September 1993. This move contradicted multiple articles of the existing constitution and led to a dual power structure with two presidents and two ministers operating simultaneously.
How many people died during the October 1993 Russian constitutional crisis fighting at the White House?
The official list presented on the 27th of July 1994 included 147 people killed including civilians and military personnel from Defense and Interior Ministries. Some sources claim as many as 1,500 people died though government officials originally refused to report accurate numbers.
What happened to participants involved in the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis after the events concluded?
The State Duma granted amnesty to all individuals involved in September-October 1993 events on the 23rd of February 1994. Criminal proceedings were discontinued in early 1995 and eventually placed into archives without further legal action against any participants.
When was the new Russian constitution adopted following the 1993 constitutional crisis?
Boris Yeltsin pushed through his new constitution on December 12 which created strong presidential powers while giving parliament limited authority. The bicameral legislature would sit for only two years before facing potential dissolution if repeating no-confidence votes occurred.