Federation Council (Russia)

• 1. The 1993 Constitutional Crisis

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  On the 2nd of October 1993, Russian army tanks fired on the White House of Russia. This legislative building housed the Congress of People's Deputies during a violent standoff with President Boris Yeltsin. The conflict ended after three days of bombardment and storming operations that killed dozens of people. Yeltsin had issued Presidential Decree No. 1400 on the 21st of September to dissolve the congress. He claimed this action was necessary to implement new constitutional reforms for the nation. The crisis marked the end of Soviet-era governance structures in Russia. A new constitution emerged from these events later that year. It established the Federation Council as part of a bicameral Federal Assembly. The upper house would represent Russia's federal subjects rather than direct population districts.

• 2. From Elections To Appointments

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  The first elections for the Federation Council took place on the 12th of December 1993. Voters selected senators through a majority system defined by Presidential Decrees No. 1626 and No. 1846. These decrees required candidates to gather at least 25,000 signatures or two percent of their region's population. Regional executives gained ex officio seats within the council starting in 1995. Vladimir Putin proposed reform laws in early 2000 to change how members joined the body. Governors could designate councillors but could no longer sit on the council themselves. The last dual senator-governors were rotated out of office in early 2002. Following the Beslan school hostage crisis in September 2004, Putin replaced direct gubernatorial elections with presidential appointments. This shift placed more control over the council under the executive branch. Laws now stipulate that regional executives have a say in choosing delegates to the Federation Council.

• 3. Special Constitutional Powers

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  Senators hold unique authorities not granted to lower house deputies. They must approve changes in borders between federal subjects of Russia. A decree introducing martial law requires their consent before taking effect. The same approval is needed for any state of emergency declaration. Senators decide whether armed forces can operate outside Russian territory. They declare presidential elections and vote on impeachment proceedings against the president. Their approval is required for nominations of judges to constitutional courts. The prosecutor general also needs their confirmation before assuming office. More than half of its 178 senators must vote yes for ordinary laws to pass. Three-fourths of votes are required when considering federal constitutional laws. If the council vetoes legislation from the State Duma, both chambers form a Conciliation Committee.

• 4. Committees And Physical Infrastructure

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  The federation council holds sessions within the Main Building on Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street in Moscow. This structure was formerly home to the Soviet State Building Agency known as Gosstroy. Further offices and committee rooms exist on New Arbat Avenue nearby. Sixteen committees and seven commissions handle specific policy areas like foreign affairs or youth sports. Leadership positions within these groups are determined by the council chairman. Sessions run from the 25th of January to the 15th of July each year. Additional meetings occur from the 16th of September until the 31st of December. The building houses the presidium which includes four deputy chairmen and a general secretary. Public access is allowed during open sessions though secure closed sessions may be convoked if desired.

• 5. Kremlin Relations And Criticism

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  Valentina Matviyenko serves as the current chairwoman of the Federation Council since the 21st of September 2011. Since reforms began in 2000, the council maintains a significantly close relationship with the Kremlin. Critics argue that Vladimir Putin's tactics created a rubber stamp body for executive power. They claim it functions similarly to the Soviet of Nationalities during the Soviet period. Political factions were forbidden in 2002 following Sergey Mironov's election to the chairmanship. Senators retain party membership but avoid bringing factionalism to the floor itself. Regional governors lost their ability to hold dual posts under pressure from Moscow. A new law passed in December 2004 required the chairman to initiate recall procedures before removing senators. This procedure has not been used since its implementation. The council remains stable while critics charge it lacks democratic independence.