An Analysis of the Development of the Russian Parliament
Author: Jing-yun Hsu
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
The Federal Assembly is the legislative institution of the Russian Federation and consists of two chambers – the Council of Federation and the State Duma. Although the Constitution of Russian Federation which was adopted on December 12 1993 holds to a number of western classic constitutional principles (for example the separation of powers, a multiparty system, and so on), its fundamental nature is thoroughly Russian-rooted and it also integrates the characteristics of a conventionally Russian autarchy. Until March 2008, the Russian constitutional regime basically sustained a super-presidential system, with the presidency far more powerful than both the parliament and political parties. However, despite stepping down from the presidency, Vladimir Putin has managed to retain his preeminent position in Russian politics. In particular, the continuously-amended Russian Federation laws “On Political Parties” and “On the Election of Deputies to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation”, and Putin’s own ambiguous position, may have a dramatic impact upon the integrity of the parliament and the formation of the well-functioning party system.