Federation Council
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| Federation Council | |
|---|---|
| Name | Federation Council |
| Native name | Совет Федерации |
| Legislature | Federal Assembly |
| Foundation | 1993 |
| House type | Upper house |
| Members | 170 |
| Leader1 type | Chairman |
| Leader1 | Valentina Matvienko |
| Leader1 party | United Russia |
| Meeting place | Senate Building, Moscow |
Federation Council The Federation Council is the upper chamber of the Federal Assembly of Russia, established after the adoption of the 1993 Constitution of the Russian Federation. It acts alongside the State Duma as a bicameral legislature, representing the federal subjects of Russia and participating in federal lawmaking, treaty ratification, and the approval of key appointments. The Council meets in the Saint Petersburg and Moscow legislative complexes and interacts with executive institutions such as the President of Russia and the Government of Russia.
History
The Federation Council emerged from constitutional reforms following the 1993 constitutional crisis that culminated in the standoff at the White House (Moscow) and the adoption of the 1993 Russian constitutional referendum. Early composition reflected the influence of regional executives and the post-Soviet restructuring of the Soviet of Nationalities legacy. During the 1990s the Council worked amid competing forces including Boris Yeltsin, regional governors, and parties such as Our Home – Russia and Unity, evolving through reforms tied to the 2000 change in gubernatorial appointments and the 2000s centralization policies associated with Vladimir Putin. High-profile episodes include the Council’s role in approving the use of force in Chechnya after the Second Chechen War and responses to legislative initiatives during the 2008 financial crisis and the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Composition and Membership
Membership is drawn from the 85 federal subjects of Russia with each subject represented by two senators, producing a total of 170 members. Representatives include appointees from regional legislatures and regional executives, a model shaped by the 2000s reforms that affected the selection pathways involving governors and regional parliaments such as the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg. Notable officeholders have included figures from parties and institutions such as United Russia, Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, and individuals previously associated with the Security Council of Russia and the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). Leadership roles such as the Chairman have been held by politicians with prior service in the Federation Council and ties to presidential administrations.
Powers and Functions
The chamber exercises constitutional powers including approving changes to borders of federal subjects of Russia, ratifying international treaties such as agreements submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia), and consenting to presidential appointments to bodies like the Constitutional Court of Russia and the Prosecutor General of Russia. It has the authority to approve or reject the deployment of armed forces abroad, a power invoked in deliberations involving the Ministry of Defence (Russia) and conflicts such as the Second Chechen War and operations connected to the Annexation of Crimea. The Council participates in impeachment procedures concerning the President of Russia, considers federal amnesty proposals from the President of Russia, and can initiate legislation on subjects assigned to federal jurisdiction by the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
Legislative Procedure
Bills may originate in the State Duma, the Government of Russia, the president, or members of the Federation Council. After passage in the State Duma a draft law is transmitted to the Council, where committees—mirroring portfolios like defense, foreign affairs, and budget—review texts and issue opinions; examples of committee areas include oversight functions related to the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Defence (Russia). The Council may approve, reject, or return the bill for reconsideration; disputes between the chambers can be resolved through conciliation commissions similar to mechanisms in other bicameral systems. Ratification of treaties requires a two-thirds majority on matters specified by the Constitution of the Russian Federation and often follows consultations with executive ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia).
Relationship with Other Government Bodies
The Federation Council operates in tandem with the State Duma within the Federal Assembly of Russia and maintains institutional links to the President of Russia, the Government of Russia, and judicial bodies including the Constitutional Court of Russia. It engages with regional authorities—governors and regional legislatures—through representation structures reflecting federal-subject interests. Interactions with security institutions such as the Federal Security Service and the General Prosecutor's Office occur when considering appointments or emergency measures. The chamber’s relationship with political parties like United Russia and the Communist Party of the Russian Federation shapes legislative coalitions and voting outcomes.
Notable Sessions and Decisions
The Federation Council has convened for pivotal votes including approval of the use of military force during the Second Chechen War and formal consent related to the 2014 Crimean status referendum and subsequent treaties with Ukraine over territory. The Council approved legislation in response to the 2008 financial crisis and measures linked to the COVID-19 pandemic involving emergency powers and budget reallocations overseen by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. Other significant decisions include confirmations of heads of federal judicial institutions such as the Supreme Court of Russia and endorsements of presidential nominations to the Security Council of Russia.