Duma

Duma. The Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, and it plays a crucial role in the country's legislative process, often interacting with the President of Russia, such as Vladimir Putin, and the Council of the Federation. The Duma has its roots in the Russian Empire, where it was established by Nicholas II in 1905, following the Russian Revolution of 1905 and the issuance of the October Manifesto. This led to the creation of the State Duma of the Russian Empire, which first convened in 1906, with notable figures like Pavel Milyukov and Alexander Guchkov.

History

The history of the Duma is closely tied to significant events in Russian history, including the February Revolution and the October Revolution of 1917, which led to the establishment of the Soviet Union under Vladimir Lenin. The Duma was disbanded during this period, but its concept was revived in the late 20th century with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, influenced by figures like Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin. The modern State Duma was established in 1993, following the adoption of the Constitution of Russia, which defined its role and powers within the Federal Assembly of Russia, working alongside institutions like the Supreme Court of Russia and the Central Bank of Russia. Key events, such as the Russian constitutional crisis of 1993 and the 1993 Russian constitutional referendum, shaped the Duma's early years, with involvement from political leaders like Rutskoy and Khasbulatov.

Structure and composition

The Duma is composed of 450 deputies, elected by proportional representation for a term of five years, with the most recent elections including the 2021 Russian legislative election. The structure of the Duma includes various committees, such as the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which interacts with international bodies like the United Nations and the European Union, and the Committee on Defense, which works closely with the Ministry of Defense (Russia). The Duma's work is also influenced by other Russian institutions, including the Federation Council, the Supreme Court of Russia, and the Prosecutor General of Russia, with notable figures like Sergey Lavrov and Sergey Shoigu playing significant roles.

Powers and functions

The Duma has several key powers and functions, including the adoption of federal laws, approval of the federal budget, and oversight of the Government of Russia, led by the Prime Minister of Russia, currently Mikhail Mishustin. The Duma also has the power to express no confidence in the Government, which can lead to the resignation of the Prime Minister, as seen in the cases of Sergei Kiriyenko and Viktor Chernomyrdin. Additionally, the Duma plays a role in the appointment and dismissal of high-ranking officials, such as the Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia and the Prosecutor General of Russia, with input from the President of Russia and the Federation Council.

Electoral system

The electoral system used to elect the Duma is a mixed system, combining elements of proportional representation and single-member districts, similar to systems used in countries like Germany and Japan. This system has been in place since the 2007 Russian legislative election and has been used in subsequent elections, including the 2011 Russian legislative election and the 2016 Russian legislative election. The system has been subject to criticism and controversy, with allegations of electoral fraud and manipulation, as reported by organizations like the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the European Union.

Political parties and factions

The Duma is composed of several political parties and factions, including United Russia, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, and A Just Russia, with leaders like Gennady Zyuganov and Vladimir Zhirinovsky playing prominent roles. These parties often form alliances and coalitions, such as the All-Russia People's Front, to advance their interests and influence policy, interacting with other political entities like the Russian Ecological Party "The Greens". The Duma also has a number of independent deputies, who are not affiliated with any particular party, including figures like Dmitry Gudkov and Ilya Ponomarev.

Role in the Russian political system

The Duma plays a crucial role in the Russian political system, serving as a link between the President of Russia and the Government of Russia, and providing a platform for political parties and factions to represent the interests of their constituents, including those in regions like Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and the North Caucasus Federal District. The Duma's powers and functions are defined by the Constitution of Russia and are subject to influence from other institutions, such as the Constitutional Court of Russia and the Supreme Court of Russia, with notable judges like Valery Zorkin and Vyacheslav Lebedev. The Duma's work is also shaped by international relations, including interactions with organizations like the Council of Europe and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and events like the Ukraine–Russia crisis and the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Category:Russian legislative bodies