Russian Federal Assembly

Russian Federal Assembly. The Federal Assembly is the national bicameral legislature of the Russian Federation, established by the Constitution of Russia adopted in the 1993 Russian constitutional referendum. It consists of an upper house, the Federation Council, and a lower house, the State Duma, which together exercise federal legislative power. The assembly operates from its chambers in Moscow, with the Federation Council meeting in a building on Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street and the State Duma convening in the historic State Duma Building on Okhotny Ryad.

History

The Federal Assembly was formed following the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis, which culminated in the violent dissolution of the previous Supreme Soviet of Russia by order of President Boris Yeltsin. Its creation was mandated by the new Constitution of Russia, drafted under the guidance of Sergey Shakhray and others, which was approved by referendum in December 1993. The first elections to the State Duma and the formation of the Federation Council were held that same month, marking a transition from the Soviet-era Congress of People's Deputies of Russia. Throughout the Presidency of Vladimir Putin, the assembly has seen its role and political composition evolve significantly, with constitutional amendments like those passed in the 2020 Russian constitutional referendum further shaping its structure and powers.

Structure and composition

The upper house, the Federation Council, comprises 170 members; two delegates from each of Russia's 85 federal subjects, typically including the regional head like the Governor of Moscow Oblast and the chair of the regional legislature such as the Moscow City Duma. The lower house, the State Duma, consists of 450 deputies elected for five-year terms through a mixed electoral system. Leadership includes the Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko and the Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin. Key committees within the Duma include the State Duma Committee on International Affairs and the State Duma Committee on Defense.

Powers and functions

Its primary constitutional function is the passage of federal constitutional laws and federal laws. The State Duma holds powers to approve the Prime Minister nominated by the President of Russia, as seen with figures like Mikhail Mishustin, and can express no confidence in the Government of Russia. The Federation Council approves presidential decrees on martial law and state of emergency, ratifies international treaties such as the New START treaty, and appoints judges to the Constitutional Court of Russia and the Supreme Court of Russia. It also decides on the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation outside Russia.

Legislative process

The legislative process typically begins with the introduction of a bill, which can be initiated by the President of Russia, the Government of Russia, members of the Federation Council, deputies of the State Duma, or regional legislatures like the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg. A bill must pass three readings in the State Duma, where it is scrutinized by relevant committees such as the State Duma Committee on Budget and Taxes. After Duma approval, it is sent to the Federation Council, which has 14 days to review it; if rejected, a conciliation commission may be formed. Finally, enacted laws are sent to the President for signing and promulgation, as outlined in the Constitution of Russia.

Relationship with other government bodies

It maintains a defined relationship with the executive branch headed by the President of Russia, who addresses the assembly annually with a Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly. The Government of Russia, led by the Prime Minister of Russia, is accountable to the State Duma. The assembly interacts with the judiciary, particularly through the appointment of judges to the Constitutional Court of Russia and the Supreme Court of Russia. Furthermore, it works alongside other state bodies like the Central Bank of Russia and the Accounts Chamber of Russia, the latter of which reports to it on federal budget execution.

Political dynamics

Since the early 2000s, the State Duma has been dominated by the United Russia party, which holds a constitutional majority, with opposition from parties like the Communist Party of the Russian Federation led by Gennady Zyuganov, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia under Leonid Slutsky, and A Just Russia — For Truth. Major legislative initiatives in recent years have included laws on foreign agents, sovereign internet, and constitutional reforms. The political landscape is also influenced by figures such as Sergei Mironov and events like the 2011–2013 Russian protests. The Federation Council operates on a non-partisan basis but generally aligns with the policies of the Kremlin and the presidential administration.