Political system of Russia

Political system of Russia / Политическая система России

The Russian Federation is a Presidential (or a constitutional) republic. The President is the head of the state and is elected directly by the people.

In fact he has much power, he controls all the three branches of power. The President can even dissolve the Duma if he doesn't agree with his suggestions three times running. The President has his administration, but it's not part of the Federal Government. The President is involved in the work of the legislative and executive branches.

The Federal Assembly represents the Legislative branch of power. It's made up of the two houses: the Federation Council and the State Duma, which make laws. Russia's parliament, which is called the Federal Assembly, consists of a 450-member lower house known as the State Duma and a 178-member upper house called the Federation Council. The State Duma makes the country's laws. The Duma's proposed legislation must be approved by the Federation Council and by the President before becoming law. However, the State Duma can override a veto by the Federation Council and send legislation directly to the President. The Federation Council approves government appointments and such presidential actions as the declaration of martial law and the use of armed forces outside of Russia. Members of the State Duma are elected by the people to four-year terms. Members of the Federation Council are local government officials. These members include regional governors and leaders of local legislatures. They are not elected directly to the council but gain membership when they attain the local office.  All Russian citizens 18 years of age and older may vote in the country's elections.

The Federal Government represents the executive branch of power. The President appoints its head, the Chainman of the Government, but the Dums must approve his appointment. Moscow is governed by a City Soviet (City Council) of about 500 deputies elected to five-year terms. Each deputy represents an election district called a ward.

Before 1990, only one candidate ran for election in each ward. The candidate was elected unless most voters crossed his or her name off the ballot. In the March 1990 city election, two or three candidates could run for each position on the City Soviet. Candidates from opposing political organisations were nominated by individuals or groups. Voters crossed the name of the candidates they opposed off the ballots. A candidate had to receive at least 50 percent of the vote in his or her ward to win. In cases where no candidate received 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election was held. Before 1991, members of the City Soviet elected one deputy to be chairman, or mayor. In June 1991, the people of Moscow elected their mayor directly. Later in 1991, the executive branch of the city government was reorganised. Moscow was divided into 10 administrative districts. Each administrative district is headed by a prefect who is appointed by the mayor. The prefects and their staffs administer city services and policies in their areas. Moscow is also divided into local districts. Each district government is responsible for local affairs.

The juridical branch of power consists of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and lower Courts. The responsibility of the Constitutional Court is to analyse the new laws to make sure they correspond to the laws of the state. The Constitutional Court has the right to declare actions of the President, the Federal Assembly and the Federal Government unconstitutional. The Supreme Court is the highest instance for civil and criminal cases.

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