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Russia: The Government
From Grolier's The New Book of Knowledge
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The government of the Russian Federation is based on a constitution that was approved by popular vote in 1993. It replaced the 1978 constitution, which had been amended many times. The country is divided into 49 oblasts, or administrative divisions.
Russia's chief of state is its president, who is elected by the people to serve a 4-year term. The prime minister serves as head of government. The Security Council reports directly to the president. The 1993 constitution strengthened the power of
the president. He may appoint and dismiss the prime minister (with parliamentary approval), veto legislation, and dissolve parliament.
The legislative branch consists of a parliament called the Federal Assembly. It is made up of two houses, the Federation Council and the State Duma. The Federation Council has 178 deputies, two from each of the 89 republics, regions, and other
administrative divisions of the Russian Federation. The State Duma has 450 members, half elected from single-member constituencies and half according to proportional representation by the various political parties.
Russia's judicial system is made up of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Superior Court. All the judges are appointed for life by the Federation Council on the recommendation of the president.
Donald W. Treadgold
University of Washington
Author, Twentieth Century Russia
Reviewed by Ilya Prizel
University of Pittsburgh
