Russian Federation Council
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| Russian Federation Council | |
|---|---|
| Name | Federation Council |
| Native name | Совет Федерации |
| Legislature | Federal Assembly |
| House type | Upper chamber |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Preceded by | Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR |
| Leader1 type | Chair |
| Leader1 | Valentina Matvienko |
| Leader1 party | United Russia |
| Seats | 170 |
| Voting system | Delegation by federal subjects |
| Last election | N/A (appointments) |
| Meeting place | Federation Council Building, Moscow |
Russian Federation Council is the upper chamber of the Federal Assembly of Russia, created in 1993 as part of constitutional reforms following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the 1993 constitutional crisis. The Council represents the interests of federal subjects of Russia such as Moscow Oblast, Republic of Tatarstan, Krasnoyarsk Krai, and Saint Petersburg through delegations appointed by regional executives and legislatures. It operates alongside the lower chamber, the State Duma, within the bicameral legislature established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation (1993).
History
The Council emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the abolition of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR following clashes between President Boris Yeltsin and the parliament during the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis. Early sessions involved figures from the Yeltsin administration, regional leaders like Mintimer Shaimiev and Yury Luzhkov, and national politicians transitioning from the Communist Party of the Soviet Union to new formations such as Our Home — Russia and Unity. The 1990s saw debates over federalism involving actors like Viktor Chernomyrdin and Grigory Yavlinsky, and the Council's role evolved amid conflicts including the First Chechen War and reforms under President Vladimir Putin. Amendments and political shifts connected to events such as the 2004 Beslan school siege and federal reforms influenced appointment procedures, coordination with bodies like the Presidential Administration of Russia, and interactions with regional institutions including governorates and regional legislatures.
Composition and Membership
Each of the 85 federal subjects of Russia—including Republic of Dagestan, Khabarovsk Krai, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), and Chechen Republic—sends two members, totaling 170 seats. One delegate is appointed by the region’s executive leader (e.g., a governor or head of a republic), and the other by the regional legislature, as clarified by the Federal Constitutional Law on the Procedure for Formation of the Federation Council. Prominent members have included politicians with ties to United Russia, former ministers from the Ministry of Defense (Russia), retired officials from the Federal Security Service (FSB), diplomats formerly posted to missions such as the Permanent Mission of Russia to the UN, and business figures connected to conglomerates like Gazprom and Rosneft. Chairs and vice-chairs have included national figures who previously served in cabinets under Dmitry Medvedev or Mikhail Fradkov.
Powers and Functions
The chamber exercises powers defined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation (1993) and federal statutes, including approving changes to borders between federal subjects, approving presidential appointments to bodies such as the Constitutional Court of Russia, Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, and the Central Bank of Russia leadership, and authorizing the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation abroad upon presidential request. It resolves issues connected to martial law and states of emergency, and participates in impeachment procedures concerning the president alongside the State Duma. The Council also ratifies international treaties and consents to deployment of international monitoring missions such as those under the OSCE framework when applicable. Through committees and commissions, it conducts oversight on sectors including energy policy affecting Gazprom, security issues involving the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Russia), and interregional development in areas like Far Eastern Federal District programs.
Legislative Process and Procedures
Legislation typically originates in the State Duma but may be proposed by members of the Council, the President of Russia, the government headed by the Prime Minister of Russia, regional bodies, or public initiatives recognized by statute. Passed bills proceed to the Council for review; it may approve, reject, or propose amendments. When the Council and the State Duma disagree, a conciliation procedure involving a mixed commission resolves differences, referencing precedents involving major federal laws such as the Federal Law on the General Principles of Organization of Legislative (Representative) and Executive Bodies of the Subjects of the Russian Federation and high-profile codes like the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. Sessions, quorum rules, committee hearings, and plenary voting follow procedures codified in the Council’s regulations and influenced by norms from other legislative bodies such as the Senate (United States) in comparative discussions.
Relationship with Other Government Bodies
The Council interacts institutionally with the State Duma as the bicameral partner in the Federal Assembly of Russia, with the President of Russia through appointment confirmations and consultations, and with the Government of Russia when reviewing executive proposals. It coordinates with judicial institutions including the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation and the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation on legal matters that require adjudication. The chamber engages with regional authorities like governors from Kemerovo Oblast or legislative assemblies in entities such as Krasnodar Krai and maintains contacts with international organizations such as the Council of Europe and the United Nations for interparliamentary cooperation. Relations with security services including the FSB and law-enforcement ministries influence its oversight of national security legislation and appointments.
Controversies and Criticism
The Council has faced scrutiny over appointment practices tied to regional executives and political party dominance by United Russia, raising questions about representativeness compared with earlier models of federal representation advocated by figures like Boris Nemtsov and Grigory Yavlinsky. Critics from opposition parties such as Yabloko and media outlets including Novaya Gazeta have highlighted cases involving members connected to state corporations like Rosneft and allegations of conflicts of interest reminiscent of controversies involving privatization in the 1990s and links to oligarchs such as Roman Abramovich and Vagit Alekperov. Debates over the chamber’s role in approving security measures intersected with events like the Second Chechen War and legislative responses to terrorism after the Moscow theater hostage crisis. International criticism during disputes over actions in Ukraine and sanctions interacting with bodies like the European Union and the United States Department of the Treasury has also affected perceptions of the Council’s independence and functions.