Council of the Federation (Russia)
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| Council of the Federation (Russia) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Council of the Federation |
| Native name | Совет Федерации |
| Type | Upper house |
| Legislature | Federal Assembly of Russia |
| Established | 1993 |
| Leader | Valentina Matviyenko |
| Members | 170 |
| Meeting place | Federation Council building, Moscow |
Council of the Federation (Russia) The Council of the Federation is the upper chamber of the Federal Assembly (Russia), created by the 1993 Russian Constitution as a federal organ to represent federal subjects of Russia including oblasts of Russia, republics of Russia, krais of Russia, okrugs of Russia, and federal cities of Russia. It operates alongside the State Duma within the bicameral parliamentary system established after the August 1991 coup attempt and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The chamber’s activities intersect with constitutional practice, federal legislation, and executive appointments in the context of the Russian Federation political framework.
Overview and Function
The chamber exercises functions defined in the Constitution of Russia, including ratification of international treaties, approval of presidential decrees on use of Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and adjudication in impeachment procedures involving the President of Russia and judges of the Constitutional Court of Russia. It convenes in plenary sessions at the Federation Council building, Moscow and through committees such as those on foreign affairs, defense, budget, agriculture, and regional policy. The Council’s role interacts with institutions like the Presidency of Russia, the Government of Russia, the Supreme Court of Russia, and regional legislatures such as the Moscow City Duma and the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Composition and Membership
Membership comprises two representatives from each of Russia’s federal subjects, drawn from bodies such as legislative assemblies of federal subjects and heads of regional administrations like governors of Russian regions and presidents of republics such as the Republic of Bashkortostan or Chechen Republic. Historically selected by regional executives and legislatures, procedures were modified by federal laws during the Vladimir Putin era and reforms under Dmitry Medvedev, affecting appointment mechanisms akin to practices in federalism debates. Prominent members have included figures associated with United Russia, Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, and individuals formerly connected to institutions such as the KGB and Federal Security Service (Russia).
Powers and Legislative Role
The chamber approves federal laws passed by the State Duma, exercises consent over presidential appointments to the Constitutional Court of Russia, and confirms key posts including judges of the Supreme Court of Russia, the Prosecutor General, and plenipotentiary envoys to the Presidential Envoy to the Federal Districts. It has authority to call referendums, approve borders between subjects following disputes like those involving Dagestan or Khrenovka, and declare presidential incapacitation prompting procedures involving the Constitutional Court of Russia. The Council's voting procedures and committee reviews shape legislation in areas such as taxation statutes, natural resources agreements (e.g., involving Gazprom and Rosneft), and federal budget allocations coordinated with the Ministry of Finance (Russia).
Relationship with the State Duma and Federal Bodies
The Council functions in tandem with the State Duma within the Federal Assembly (Russia), reviewing bills and providing checks on lower chamber initiatives including those from political factions like A Just Russia and Yabloko. Interactions with executive organs include confirmation hearings tied to the Prime Minister of Russia nominations, cooperation with the Security Council of Russia, and oversight linking to institutions such as the Central Election Commission of Russia and the Accounts Chamber of Russia. Tensions have arisen between the chambers during episodes involving the Yukos affair, the Second Chechen War, and legislative responses to international sanctions tied to events like the Crimean status referendum and the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.
Historical Development
Formed under post-Soviet constitutional arrangements following the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis and the adoption of the 1993 Constitution of the Russian Federation, the chamber evolved from earlier Soviet-era bodies including the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR and regional soviets such as the Congress of People's Deputies of the Russian SFSR. Reforms during the administrations of Boris Yeltsin, Vladimir Putin, and Dmitry Medvedev altered appointment rules and powers, paralleling centralization trends seen in measures like the introduction of federal districts and presidential plenipotentiary envoys. The Council’s institutional trajectory intersects with constitutional adjudications from the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation and political turning points such as the 2004 Beslan school siege policy responses and the 2008 Russo-Georgian War diplomatic aftermath.
Notable Actions and Controversies
The chamber has ratified contentious measures including approval of military deployments during the Second Chechen War and votes related to the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, prompting international reactions involving the United Nations General Assembly and sanctions by states such as United States and European Union. Debates over legitimacy and federal representation surfaced during controversies like the Yukos affair, appointment procedures influenced by presidential decrees from Vladimir Putin, and legislative coordination with state corporations including Rosneft and Gazprom. The Council has been central in impeachment proceedings and in confirming figures implicated in high-profile cases involving the Investigative Committee of Russia and the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation, provoking scrutiny from organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.