Politics of Russia
In December 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev announced the end of the Soviet Union. This decision followed a meeting in Alma-Ata where leaders from Ukraine and Belarus declared the 1922 treaty of union annulled. Russia gained international recognition as the principal successor to the Soviet Union. It received the Soviet Union's permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The transition began with Boris Yeltsin assuming budgetary control over Gorbachev's rump government in late 1991. Before this moment, the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic had existed since 1924 under a treaty that granted nominal sovereignty to subunits. During the Cold War era, ethnic Russians dominated affairs within the union. The RSFSR failed to develop institutions like a republic-level communist party or a Russian academy of sciences. Demands for autonomy grew across Soviet republics during perestroika and glasnost in the late 1980s. Ethnic Russians called for distinct Russian institutions within the RSFSR. In 1990, the RSFSR asserted the primacy of its laws over those of the Soviet Union. A new legislature called the Congress of People's Deputies was elected in March 1990. Boris Yeltsin became president of the congress's permanent working body, the Supreme Soviet. The next month, the Congress declared Russia's sovereignty over natural resources. By 1991, Russia created executive offices including branches of the KGB and radio broadcasting facilities. The presidential election of June 1991 conferred legitimacy on the office. Yeltsin won with more than 57 percent of the vote against five other candidates.
In September and October 1993, President Boris Yeltsin used military force to dissolve parliament. This event marked the end of Russia's first constitutional period defined by the 1978 constitution. Ruslan Khasbulatov served as Chair of the Supreme Soviet and became Yeltsin's most vocal opponent. Under the 1978 constitution, the parliament was the supreme organ of power. After Russia added the office of president in 1991, division of powers remained ambiguous. In December 1992, the Congress of People's Deputies ordered Yeltsin to halt appointments of local administrators. Yeltsin lost the power to issue special decrees concerning the economy. A national referendum was agreed upon to determine the basic division of powers. Early 1993 saw increasing tension between Yeltsin and the parliament over power-sharing. An emergency session of the CPD rejected Yeltsin's proposals on power-sharing in mid-March 1993. Yeltsin announced a special regime assuming extraordinary executive power pending results of a referendum. The Constitutional Court declared his announcement unconstitutional. On the 27th of September, military units surrounded the legislative building known as the White House. One hundred eighty delegates refused to leave the building. Firefights resulted at several locations in Moscow. On the 3rd of October 1993, tanks fired on the White House under the direction of Minister of Defense Pavel Grachev. Military forces occupied the building and the rest of the city. This open confrontation remained a backdrop to Yeltsin's relations with the legislative branch for three years. A new constitution creating a strong presidency was approved by referendum in December 1993.
The presidential term is set at six years under the constitution. A candidate for president must be a citizen of Russia, at least 35 years of age, and a resident of the country for at least ten years. If a president becomes unable to continue in office, an election is held not more than three months later. The Law on Presidential Elections ratified in May 1995 established the legal basis for elections. Alterations included reduction in signatures required to register a candidate from 2 million to 1 million. Under the law, parties designate candidates who seek 1 million signatures needed to register. No more than 7 percent of signatures may come from a single federal jurisdiction. At least 50 percent of eligible voters must participate for an election to be valid. One voting precinct exists for approximately every 3,000 voters. Voting is allowed until late at night. Portable ballot boxes are made available on demand. Strict requirements were established for presence of election observers. The winner must receive more than 50 percent of votes cast. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent, top two vote-getters face each other in runoff within fifteen days. In the 1996 Russian presidential election, Yeltsin trailed far behind most candidates with popularity below 10 percent. A last-minute campaign featuring heavy television exposure boosted Yeltsin to 3 percent plurality over Zyuganov in first round. Turnout in first round was high with about 70 percent of 108.5 million voters participating. Total turnout in second round was nearly same as first round. A contingent of almost 1,000 international observers judged election largely fair and democratic.
The Federal Assembly consists of two houses: the 450-member State Duma and the 166-member Federation Council. Russia's legislative body was established by constitution approved in December 1993 referendum. First elections held simultaneously criticized by some Russians as indicative of Yeltsin's lack of respect for constitutional niceties. Deputies elected in December 1993 termed transitional serving only two-year term. In April 1994, legislators signed Civic Accord pledging refrain from violence during transition period. The republics of Tatarstan and Chechnya boycotted voting resulting in election of only 170 members to Federation Council. By mid-1994 all seats filled except those of Chechnya which continued proclaiming independence. All federal jurisdictions participated in December 1995 legislative elections though fairness compromised by conflict there. The Federal Assembly is permanently functioning body meaning continuous session except regular break between spring and fall sessions. Deputies work full-time on legislative duties not allowed to serve simultaneously in local legislatures or hold Government positions. After December 1995 elections, nineteen Government officials forced to resign offices to take up legislative duties. The composition of Federation Council clarified legislation emerging in December 1995 providing ex officio council seats to heads of local legislatures. As composed in 1996, Federation Council included about fifty chief executives appointed by Yeltsin during 1991-92 then won popular election directly. Each house elects chairman controlling internal procedures forming Parliamentary committees dealing with particular issues.
The Judiciary of Russia defined under Constitution and law with hierarchical structure including Constitutional Court Supreme Court and High Court of Arbitration at apex. As of 2014, High Court of Arbitration merged with Supreme Court. District courts primary criminal trial courts regional courts primary appellate courts. Many judges appointed by regimes of Leonid Brezhnev and Yuri Andropov remained in place mid-1990s. Such arbiters trained in socialist law accustomed basing verdicts on telephone calls from local CPSU bosses rather than legal merits. In 1995 average salary for judge was US$160 per month substantially less earnings associated with more menial positions. These circumstances combined with irregularities appointment process deprived lower jurisdiction judges independent authority. The Constitutional Court reconvened March 1995 following suspension by President Yeltsin during October 1993 constitutional crisis. July 1994 Law on Constitutional Court prohibits court examining cases own initiative limiting scope issues court can hear. State Duma passed Criminal Procedure Code judicial reforms during 2001 session helping make system compatible Western counterparts. Reforms reintroduced jury trials certain criminal cases creating adversarial system protecting rights defendants adequately. Introduction new code led significant reductions time spent detention new detainees number suspects placed pretrial detention declined 30 percent. Transfer from Procuracy to courts authority issue search arrest warrants another advance new Code.
The Russian Federation has made few changes Soviet pattern regional jurisdictions. Constitution 1993 establishes federal government enumerating eighty-nine subnational jurisdictions including twenty-one ethnic enclaves status republics. There are ten autonomous regions or okruga and Jewish Autonomous Oblast. Besides ethnically identified jurisdictions six territories kraya and forty-nine oblasts provinces exist. Cities Moscow and St. Petersburg independent surrounding jurisdictions termed cities of federal significance same status oblasts. Ten autonomous regions Birobidzhan part larger jurisdictions either oblast territory. As power influence central government diluted governors mayors only relevant authorities many jurisdictions. Federation Treaty signed March 1992 by President Yeltsin most leaders autonomous republics other ethnic geographical subunits. Treaty outlined powers reserved central government shared powers residual powers exercised primarily subunits. When constitution ratified Federation Treaty demoted status subconstitutional document. Transitional provision constitution provided case discrepancies between federal constitution Federation Treaty all documents defer constitution. Republics territories oblasts autonomous oblast autonomous regions cities federal designation held equal relations federal agencies state power language represents attempt end complaints nonrepublic jurisdictions inferior status. Equal representation Federation Council all eighty-nine jurisdictions furthers equalization process providing meaningful input legislative activities particularly special local concern. In mid-1995 Vladimir Shumeyko then speaker Federation Council criticized current electoral system party-list provision allowing some parts Russia receive disproportionate representation lower house.
Common questions
When did Mikhail Gorbachev announce the end of the Soviet Union?
Mikhail Gorbachev announced the end of the Soviet Union in December 1991. This decision followed a meeting in Alma-Ata where leaders from Ukraine and Belarus declared the 1922 treaty of union annulled.
What happened during the October 1993 constitutional crisis involving Boris Yeltsin?
On the 3rd of October 1993, tanks fired on the White House under the direction of Minister of Defense Pavel Grachev to dissolve parliament. Military forces occupied the building and the rest of Moscow after firefights resulted at several locations.
How many votes did Vladimir Putin receive in the March 2000 presidential election?
Vladimir Putin won the first presidential election held on the 26th of March 2000 with 53 percent of the vote. He had previously been made Prime Minister of Russia before acting president following Yeltsin's resignation.
Who serves as Chair of the Supreme Soviet during the 1993 conflict?
Ruslan Khasbulatov served as Chair of the Supreme Soviet and became Yeltsin's most vocal opponent during the September and October 1993 events. Under the 1978 constitution, the parliament was the supreme organ of power.
When was the Law on Presidential Elections ratified in Russia?
The Law on Presidential Elections was ratified in May 1995 and established the legal basis for elections. Alterations included reduction in signatures required to register a candidate from 2 million to 1 million.