Russian Duma
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| Russian Duma | |
|---|---|
| Name | State Duma |
| Native name | Государственная дума |
| Legislature | Federal Assembly |
| House type | Lower house |
| Established | 1906 |
| Preceded by | Imperial Duma |
| Leader1 type | Chairman |
| Leader1 | Vyacheslav Volodin |
| Party1 | United Russia |
| Members | 450 |
| Term length | 5 years |
| Voting system | Mixed-member proportional representation |
| Meeting place | State Duma Building, Moscow |
Russian Duma
The State Duma is the lower chamber of the Federal Assembly of Russia, functioning alongside the Federation Council, with legislative activity intersecting with the executive actions of the President of Russia and the administrative apparatus of the Government of Russia. Originating from reforms associated with Nicholas II and the 1905 Russian Revolution, the institution has evolved through eras marked by the Russian Empire, the Russian Provisional Government, the Soviet Union, and the post-Soviet constitution shaped during the administrations of Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin.
History
The Duma traces roots to the 1905 Russian Revolution and the October Manifesto issued by Nicholas II, leading to the creation of the Imperial Duma alongside political actors such as the Kadets, Octobrists, and figures like Pyotr Stolypin and Sergei Witte. After the February Revolution and formation of the Russian Provisional Government, the Duma's institutions were disrupted by the October Revolution and the rise of the Bolsheviks under Vladimir Lenin and later consolidation by Joseph Stalin within the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The modern institution was reconstituted by the 1993 Constitution promulgated by Boris Yeltsin following the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis and the standoff at the White House (Moscow), with early convocations featuring politicians such as Gennady Zyuganov, Zhirinovsky, and Yegor Gaidar. Subsequent sessions reflected the parliamentary dynamics shaped by electoral laws, the influence of United Russia, and pivotal events like the Chechen Wars and the 2008 Russo-Georgian War.
Structure and Composition
The chamber comprises 450 deputies elected to five-year terms under rules established by the Central Election Commission of Russia and constitutional provisions adopted during the Constitutional Court of Russia rulings. Leadership includes the Chairman and multiple Deputy Chairmen, with key committees mirroring portfolios associated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia), Ministry of Defense (Russia), Ministry of Finance (Russia), and interactions with agencies such as the Federal Security Service and the Accounts Chamber of Russia. Sessions are held in the State Duma Building near Moscow Kremlin, and administration involves the State Duma Apparatus and parliamentary groups aligned with organizations like United Russia, Communist Party of the Russian Federation, and Liberal Democratic Party of Russia.
Powers and Functions
Constitutional competencies include adopting federal laws, approving the Prime Minister of Russia nominated by the President, consenting to declarations of war, and supervising federal budget approval alongside the Government of Russia and the Ministry of Finance (Russia). The chamber exercises confirmation roles for appointments to bodies such as the Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia and legislative oversight interacting with the Prosecutor General of Russia and the Constitutional Court of Russia. The Duma initiates legislation affecting treaties ratified by the President of Russia and may influence policy responses to crises involving entities like the European Union, NATO, and bilateral accords with states such as China, Belarus, and Ukraine.
Electoral System
Electoral arrangements have shifted between mixed-member systems, proportional representation, and majoritarian components under laws passed by the Duma and overseen by the Central Election Commission of Russia. Campaigns involve candidates nominated by parties like United Russia, A Just Russia — For Truth, and the New People movement, and electoral outcomes are shaped by media regulations involving VGTRK and legal frameworks adjudicated by the Supreme Court of Russia. Electoral reforms under different administrations have responded to verdicts and pressure from international observers including the OSCE and reactions from states like United States and organizations such as the Council of Europe.
Political Parties and Factions
Major factions represented historically include United Russia, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, and A Just Russia. Prominent politicians associated with factions encompass Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Gennady Zyuganov, Sergey Mironov, and party figures aligned with Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev. Parliamentary groups interact with interest networks tied to state corporations like Gazprom, Rosneft, and financial institutions including the Bank of Russia, while opposition movements have been associated with activists linked to Alexei Navalny, Boris Nemtsov, and civil society organizations such as Memorial and Human Rights Watch.
Legislative Process
Bills originate from deputies, committees, the Government of Russia, and the President of Russia, proceeding through three readings, committee reviews, and plenary votes; approved laws are forwarded to the Federation Council and signed by the President before promulgation in the Official Gazette (Russia). Committees correspond to ministries like the Ministry of Justice (Russia) and engage experts from academies such as the Russian Academy of Sciences and regulatory bodies including the Federal Antimonopoly Service. High-profile legislative initiatives have addressed areas involving energy policy, tax law, fiscal policy, and security legislation tied to responses to events like the 2014 annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.
Criticisms and Controversies
Critics cite concerns about legislative independence, electoral fairness, and media freedom raised by entities including the European Court of Human Rights, Amnesty International, and the United Nations Human Rights Council. Accusations involve dominance by United Russia, alleged use of legal mechanisms such as laws on "foreign agents", interactions with security services like the Federal Security Service, and controversies surrounding high-profile cases involving figures like Alexei Navalny and the assassination of Boris Nemtsov. International sanctions by the European Union and United States Department of the Treasury have targeted individuals and entities linked to legislative actions, and debates continue about judicial review from the Constitutional Court of Russia and oversight by supranational bodies such as the International Criminal Court.