Omar Bennett
The Constitution of the Russian Federation was written in 1993 and came into force on 25 December of the same year. The constitution was adopted by national referendum on 12 December 1993, with 58.43% voting in favour. The latest significant reform occurred in 2020, with extensive amendments that altered various sections, including presidential terms, social policies, and the role of Russian law over international ones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date written | 12 December 1993 |
| Date enacted | 25 December 1993 |
| Date of latest significant reform | 2020 |
| Date of previous constitution | 1936 |
| Length of time in force | One of the longest-standing constitutions in Russian history |
| Number of participants in drafting | Over 800 |
| Percentage of population who voted for constitution | 58.43% |
| Percentage of population who voted against constitution | 41.57% |
| Number of sections | Two |
| Number of chapters in first section | 9 |
| Number of articles in first section | 137 |
| Number of amendments in 2020 | Over 200 |
| Number of years extended to presidential term limit | 2 |
Explore related products
$31.45 $57.95
![The growth of Russian power contingent on the decay of the British constitution [by S.E. Rolland]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/919Toa4qX2L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![The Russian Church : Lectures on Its History, Constitution, Doctrine and Ceremonial Preface by the Lord Bishop of London 1915 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61FbOFgXaEL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The 1993 Constitution is one of the longest-standing in Russian history
The Constitution of the Russian Federation, enacted on 25 December 1993, is one of the longest-standing in Russian history. It was adopted by national referendum on 12 December 1993, with 58.43% voting in favour and 41.57% against. The 1993 Constitution came into force on the day of its official publication, abolishing the Soviet system of government. It is second only to the Soviet Union's 1936 Constitution, which was in effect until 1977.
The 1993 Constitution was drafted by the 1993 Constitutional Conference, which was attended by over 800 participants. It consists of a preamble and two sections. The preamble proclaims that the people of Russia approve the Constitution, democratic and humanistic values, and Russia's place in the modern world. The first section consists of 9 chapters and 137 articles, covering the foundations of the political, social, legal, and economic systems, as well as fundamental rights and freedoms, the federal structure, the status of public authorities, and procedures for revision. The second section addresses final and transitional provisions, ensuring continuity and stability of constitutional legal norms.
The 1993 Constitution designated the multinational people of the Russian Federation as the bearers of sovereignty. It provided for human rights and freedoms, specifying that every citizen of the Russian Federation shall enjoy all rights and freedoms on its territory and bear equal responsibilities as outlined in the Constitution. It also affirmed the right to renounce citizenship, stating that citizenship cannot be arbitrarily revoked. The Constitution further emphasised the importance of creating conditions to ensure a dignified life and free development for all citizens.
The Constitution established a strong presidency, with the President serving as the head of state and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. While the original Constitution stipulated a four-year term and a maximum of two terms, the current Constitution, as amended, decrees a six-year term. The 1993 Constitution also outlined the division of authorities and powers among state government bodies and recognised local self-government, independent within its defined competence.
While the 1993 Constitution has undergone significant amendments, including those in 2020, it remains a pivotal document in Russian history, shaping the country's political and legal landscape for nearly three decades.
The Constitution's Democracy: Written or Unwritten?
You may want to see also
The Constitution provides for a strong presidency
The Constitution of the Russian Federation was adopted by national referendum on 12 December 1993 and enacted on 25 December 1993. The 1993 Constitution is one of the longest-standing constitutions in Russian history, second only to the Soviet Union's 1936 Constitution.
The Russian Constitution provides for a "strong presidency". The President of the Russian Federation is the Russian head of state, setting domestic and foreign policy and representing Russia both within the country and internationally. The President is also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. They have the power to dissolve the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, and the Federal Assembly. The President has broad authority to issue decrees and directives that have the force of law without judicial review, although they must not contravene the Constitution or other laws.
The President determines the basic direction of Russia's domestic and foreign policy. They appoint and recall Russian ambassadors, accept the credentials and letters of recall of foreign representatives, conduct international talks, and sign international treaties. The President also has the prerogatives of scheduling referendums, submitting draft laws to the State Duma, and promulgating federal laws.
While the Russian Federation Constitution enumerates a strong and independent judicial branch, the reality is a question of debate. The Constitution provides for judicial immunity and lifetime appointments. It also guarantees human rights and freedoms of citizens according to the universally recognized principles and norms of international law, as well as those listed in the Constitution.
The latest significant reform of the Russian Constitution occurred in 2020, marked by extensive amendments that altered various sections, including presidential terms, social policies, and the role of Russian law over international ones.
The Constitution's Articles: Foundation of a Nation
You may want to see also
Amendments to the Constitution
The Constitution of the Russian Federation was adopted by national referendum on 12 December 1993 and enacted on 25 December 1993. The latest significant reform occurred in 2020, with extensive amendments that altered various sections, including presidential terms, social policies, and the role of Russian law over international law.
The 2020 amendments to the Constitution of Russia were proposed to address the "2024 problem", which concerned the end of Putin's presidential term in 2024. The amendments proposed a solution to this problem by allowing Putin to remain in office. Specifically, the amendments removed the "in a row" clause from the article regulating the maximum number of presidential terms. This nullified the number of presidential terms previously served by Putin, allowing him to serve two further terms and, thus, to run for re-election in 2024.
In addition to the changes regarding presidential terms, the 2020 amendments also altered the distribution of power between the branches of the government. The amendments moved away from the super-presidential system that was established in 1993 and created a new system based on the principle of checks and balances. The amendments also stipulated that the Russian Constitution should take precedence over international law. Furthermore, the State Duma, the lower house of Parliament, was granted the right to approve the Prime Minister's candidacy and the candidates of Deputy Prime Ministers and Federal Ministers.
The procedure for amending the Constitution is outlined in Chapter Nine. Proposals for amendments can be submitted by the President of the Russian Federation, the Council of Federation, the State Duma, the Government of the Russian Federation, legislative bodies of constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and groups consisting of at least one-fifth of the members of the Council of Federation or of the deputies of the State Duma.
Shays' Rebellion: Constitution Amendments and Their Legacy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$29.27 $34.27
The Constitution establishes human rights and freedoms
The Constitution of the Russian Federation was adopted by national referendum on 12 December 1993 and enacted on 25 December 1993. The latest significant reform occurred in 2020, marked by extensive amendments that altered various sections, including presidential terms, social policies, and the role of Russian law over international ones.
The Constitution specifies that every citizen of the Russian Federation shall enjoy all rights and freedoms on its territory and shall bear equal responsibilities as envisaged in the Constitution. It also states that no citizen of the Russian Federation may be deprived of their citizenship or of their right to change it. The Russian Federation is to be a social state whose policy is aimed at creating conditions to ensure a worthy life and the free development of its citizens. The labour and health of people are to be protected, and a guaranteed minimum wage is to be established. State support is to be provided for families, maternity, paternity, childhood, the disabled, and elderly citizens.
The Constitution also recognises the right to self-determination, stating that the federal structure of the Russian Federation shall be based on its state integrity and the unity of the system of state power. It also recognises ideological, political, and multi-party diversity, with public associations being equal before the law.
The President of the Russian Federation is the guarantor of the Constitution and of human and civil rights and freedoms.
Federalists' Arguments: Constitution's Power and Potential
You may want to see also
The Constitution came into force on 25 December 1993
The Constitution of the Russian Federation, or the 1993 Constitution, came into force on 25 December 1993. It was adopted by a national referendum on 12 December 1993, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The 1993 Constitution is one of the longest-standing constitutions in Russian history, second only to the Soviet Union's 1936 Constitution.
The 1993 Constitution was drafted by the 1993 Constitutional Conference, which was attended by over 800 participants. It is the highest regulatory legal act of the Russian Federation, establishing the fundamental elements of the constitutional system, the state system, the formation of representative, executive, and judicial bodies, as well as the system of local self-government, human and civil rights, and freedoms. The Constitution provides for human rights and freedoms of citizens according to the universally recognised principles and norms of international law, as well as those listed in the Constitution itself.
The 1993 Constitution designates the multinational people of the Russian Federation as the bearers of sovereignty. It specifies that the President is the Russian head of state, setting domestic and foreign policy and representing Russia both within the country and internationally. The original constitution stipulated a four-year term and a maximum of two terms in succession, while the current constitution decrees a six-year term.
The 1993 Constitution also establishes the division of authorities and powers among state government bodies of the Russian Federation and its constituent entities. It recognises local self-government, which is independent within the limits of its competence. The Constitution further emphasises the importance of ideological and political diversity, with no single ideology proclaimed as the state ideology.
The Constitution's Birthplace: A Historical Meeting
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of the Russian Federation was written in 1993.
The Russian constitution came into force on 25 December 1993, the day it was officially published.
58.43% of people voted for the adoption of the constitution, while 41.57% voted against it.
The constitution provides for a "strong presidency". The president is the "Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation" and has the power to dissolve the State Duma. The constitution also decrees that the president is the head of state, setting domestic and foreign policy and representing Russia both within the country and internationally.
Yes, the constitution has been amended several times since 1993, most recently in 2020.
