Constitution of Russia

Constitution of Russia. The Constitution of Russia is the supreme law of the Russian Federation, adopted on December 12, 1993, and came into effect on December 25, 1993. It was drafted by a Constitutional Convention led by Sergey Alexeyev, Sergey Shakhray, and Anatoly Sobchak, and was influenced by the United States Constitution, the Constitution of France, and the Constitution of Germany. The Russian Constitution has been amended several times, with significant changes made in 2020 under the leadership of Vladimir Putin and the State Duma.

History of the Constitution

The history of the Russian Constitution dates back to the Russian Empire, with the Constitution of the Russian Empire adopted in 1906. However, the Russian Revolution of 1917 led to the establishment of the Soviet Union, and the adoption of the Constitution of the Soviet Union in 1924. The Constitution of the Soviet Union underwent several revisions, with the last version adopted in 1977 under the leadership of Leonid Brezhnev and the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The Dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to the creation of the Russian Federation, and the need for a new constitution. The drafting of the Russian Constitution was influenced by the Belavezha Accords, the Alma-Ata Protocol, and the Minsk Agreement, and was supported by international organizations such as the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Preamble and Fundamental Principles

The Russian Constitution begins with a preamble that sets out the fundamental principles of the Russian Federation, including the principles of sovereignty, democracy, and federalism. The preamble also references the Russian Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Pereyaslav, and the Treaty of Nystad. The fundamental principles of the Russian Constitution are based on the ideas of Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Mikhail Gorbachev, and are influenced by the Russian Orthodox Church, the Moscow Kremlin, and the Hermitage Museum. The Russian Constitution also recognizes the importance of international law, including the United Nations Charter, the Helsinki Accords, and the Paris Charter.

Structure of the Government

The Russian Constitution establishes a federal system of government, with a president serving as the head of state and a prime minister serving as the head of government. The Russian Government is divided into three branches: the State Duma, the Federation Council, and the Judicial system of Russia. The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly, and is composed of deputies elected by proportional representation. The Federation Council is the upper house of the Federal Assembly, and is composed of representatives of the federal subjects of Russia. The Judicial system of Russia is headed by the Constitutional Court of Russia, which is responsible for interpreting the Russian Constitution and ensuring its enforcement.

Human and Civil Rights

The Russian Constitution guarantees a range of human rights and civil rights, including the right to life, liberty, and security of person. The Russian Constitution also recognizes the importance of freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association. The Russian Government is committed to upholding the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the European Convention on Human Rights. The Russian Constitution also provides protection for the rights of minorities, including the indigenous peoples of Russia, and recognizes the importance of cultural diversity and linguistic diversity.

Amendments and Revisions

The Russian Constitution has undergone several amendments and revisions since its adoption in 1993. The most significant changes were made in 2020, when the Russian Government introduced a range of constitutional amendments, including changes to the presidential term limits and the judicial system. The amendments were approved by the State Duma and the Federation Council, and were supported by Vladimir Putin and the United Russia party. The Russian Constitution can be amended by a two-thirds majority in the State Duma and the Federation Council, or by a national referendum.

Judicial Review and Enforcement

The Constitutional Court of Russia is responsible for interpreting the Russian Constitution and ensuring its enforcement. The Constitutional Court of Russia has the power to declare laws and government decrees unconstitutional, and can also provide advisory opinions on constitutional matters. The Russian Constitution also establishes a range of other judicial bodies, including the Supreme Court of Russia and the Arbitration Court of Russia. The Russian Government is committed to upholding the principles of the rule of law and ensuring the independence of the judiciary, and has ratified a range of international treaties, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Russian Constitution is an important part of the legal system of Russia, and plays a critical role in shaping the country's politics, economy, and society. Category:Constitutions