Russia operates as a complex semi-presidential republic, a political system defined by its Constitution. This framework blends elements of both presidential and parliamentary republics, granting substantial power to the head of state while maintaining a legislative branch.
Table of contents
Key Institutions of State Power
State power in the Russian Federation is exercised by a hierarchy of bodies:
- The President: As the head of state, the President holds considerable authority over foreign policy, defense, and security. The role also involves ensuring the coordinated functioning of all state bodies. The President is directly elected.
- The Federal Assembly: This is Russia’s bicameral parliament, comprising:
- The State Duma: The lower house, primarily responsible for drafting and adopting federal laws.
- The Federation Council: The upper house, representing the regions and involved in approving federal laws and other key legislative actions.
- The Government: Headed by the Prime Minister, the Government serves as the executive branch. Its primary function is to implement federal laws and manage the state’s daily administration.
- The Courts: An independent judiciary system, including the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court, interprets and applies the law across the federation.
Federal Structure and Regional Autonomy
The Russian Federation is composed of various federal subjects, each with regional state authorities. Republics, specifically created to accommodate Russia’s ethnic minorities, have historically been granted more powers than other types of states, which are predominantly inhabited by ethnic Russian majorities. Each republic features a directly elected governor and its own assembly.
However, the autonomy of these states from the federal government has seen limitations. The political system began turning more autocratic in the early 2000s, leading to a reduction in the independence previously enjoyed by these regional entities.
Local Self-Government
Distinct from the federal and regional state authorities, local self-government bodies operate independently. They are not part of the state authority system and manage issues of local significance within their defined powers, ensuring community-level needs are met.
Constitutional Basis
The foundation of Russia’s political system is laid out in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Adopted by the multinational people, Chapter 1, “The Basis of the Constitutional System,” establishes fundamental principles that define the state’s organization, citizens’ rights, and freedoms. This document outlines Russia’s nature as a democratic federal law-governed state with a republican form of government, providing the guiding framework for all political operations and power distribution today;
