Simone Lawson
Russia's current constitution was ratified in 1993, following a national referendum. It came into force on 25 December of that year, abolishing the Soviet system of government. The 1993 Constitution is one of the longest-standing in Russian history, second only to the Soviet Union's 1936 Constitution, which was in effect until 1977. The 1993 Constitution has been amended several times since its ratification, most recently in 2020. Russia's first-ever constitution was enacted in 1906, transforming the country from an absolute monarchy into a constitutional one.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 25 December 1993 |
| Date of adoption | 12 December 1993 |
| Date of enactment | 25 December 1993 |
| Date of latest significant reform | 2020 |
| Date of first Russian Constitution | 6 May [O.S. 23 April] 1906 |
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What You'll Learn
- The 1993 Constitution is one of the longest-standing in Russian history
- The 1993 Constitution was ratified by national referendum
- The 1906 Constitution was a revision of the 1832 Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire
- The 1906 Constitution transformed Russia from an absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy
- Amendments to the Constitution in 2020 altered presidential terms, social policies, and the role of Russian law over international law
The 1993 Constitution is one of the longest-standing in Russian history
The 1993 Constitution abolished the Soviet system of government and replaced it with a new framework that has endured for over three decades. While there have been several amendments to the 1993 Constitution over the years, the core structure and principles have remained intact.
The most recent significant reform occurred in 2020, when extensive amendments were made to various sections, including presidential terms, social policies, and the role of Russian law over international ones. However, even with these changes, the 1993 Constitution remains a cornerstone of Russia's political system and a testament to its durability.
Prior to the 1993 Constitution, Russia had experienced several significant constitutional changes. The Russian Constitution of 1906, for example, marked a major revision of the 1832 Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire, transforming the country from an absolutist state to one in which the emperor shared power with a parliament. This constitution was enacted on 6 May 1906 (23 April according to the old style calendar) and was a pivotal moment in Russia's constitutional history, even though the exact extent of its implementation became a subject of debate due to the emperor's subsequent actions.
The 1993 Constitution, however, has proven to be more enduring and has provided a stable foundation for Russia's governance, despite the various political and social transformations the country has undergone since its adoption.
The Preamble's Role in Constitution Ratification
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The 1993 Constitution was ratified by national referendum
The 1993 Constitution of Russia was not the country's first. The first-ever Russian Constitution was enacted on 6 May [O.S. 23 April] 1906, on the eve of the opening of the first State Duma. This constitution was a revision of the 1832 Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire, which transformed the country from an absolutist state into one in which the emperor agreed to share his power with a parliament.
The Constitution: Ratified in 1776?
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The 1906 Constitution was a revision of the 1832 Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire
The 1993 Constitution of the Russian Federation is one of the longest-standing constitutions in Russian history, second only to the Soviet Union's 1936 Constitution. However, it is not the only constitution to have been ratified in Russia.
The 1906 Constitution was based on a draft authored by Peter Kharitonov, Deputy State Secretary of the State Chancellory. Other constitutions from Austria-Hungary, Japan and Prussia were also studied, as was a draft constitution authored by the Union of Liberation. The State Chancellory prepared a draft, which was discussed during five sessions of the Council of Ministers, where alterations were made to strengthen the emperor's prerogatives at the expense of the new parliament. Following this, the draft was further discussed and amended under the Tsar's chairmanship.
The 1906 Constitution was officially published and enacted on 6 May [O.S. 23 April] 1906, on the eve of the opening of the first State Duma. However, the exact extent of how constitutional Russia became was quickly debated, based on the emperor's subsequent actions. Since the 1906 Constitution, several amendments have been proposed, including in 2008 and 2014, and the latest significant reform occurred in 2020.
The Branches' Ratification: A United Decision
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The 1906 Constitution transformed Russia from an absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy
The Russian Constitution of 1906 was a major revision of the 1832 Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire. It was enacted on 6 May (23 April in the Old Style calendar) 1906, on the eve of the opening of the first State Duma. This was the first-ever Russian Constitution, and it transformed Russia from an absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy.
The 1906 Constitution was a revision of the earlier Fundamental Laws, which had been published as the Code of Laws of the Russian Empire in 1832. It was granted during the Russian Revolution of 1905, in a last-ditch effort by the imperial government to preserve its own existence and keep the empire from disintegrating. The new constitution provided for a bicameral Russian parliament, without whose approval no laws were to be enacted in Russia.
The 1906 Constitution was the result of a lengthy process that began with the drafting of a new constitution by the State Chancellory. This draft was discussed during five sessions of the Council of Ministers, where alterations were made to strengthen the emperor's prerogatives at the expense of the new parliament. The draft was further discussed and amended under the Tsar's chairmanship, and Nicholas chose to officially publish the new constitution on 6 May (23 April) 1906.
With the enactment of the 1906 Constitution, Russia was officially transformed from an absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy. However, the exact extent of just how constitutional quickly became the subject of debate, based upon the emperor's subsequent actions. While the 1906 Constitution marked a significant step towards constitutional monarchy, the balance of power between the emperor and the parliament remained a subject of contention and interpretation.
The Evolution of Constitutional Ratification
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Amendments to the Constitution in 2020 altered presidential terms, social policies, and the role of Russian law over international law
The Constitution of the Russian Federation was adopted by national referendum on 12 December 1993 and came into force 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 law.
The 2020 amendments to the Constitution of Russia were proposed by President Vladimir Putin during his address to the Federal Assembly on 15 January 2020. The draft amendments were then submitted to a referendum, legally referred to as an "All-Russian vote", and took effect on 4 July 2020.
The 2020 amendments brought about several changes. Firstly, they extended presidential term limits, enabling Putin, if re-elected, to hold presidential office until 2036. This was achieved by removing the "in a row" clause from the article regulating the maximum number of presidential terms, discounting previous presidential terms before the amendment entered into force. Secondly, the amendments included social measures on pensions and the welfare state, as well as conservative measures such as constitutionally banning same-sex marriage, ensuring patriotic education in schools, and placing the constitution above international law. Thirdly, the amendments increased the protection of social rights, introduced a fixed six-year term for most senators of the Federation Council, and extended parliamentary control, including the possibility of carrying out inquiries into the heads of state bodies.
The Constitution's Ratification: Supermajority or Not?
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Frequently asked questions
Russia's new constitution was ratified in 1993.
The 1993 Constitution of the Russian Federation abolished the Soviet system of government and is one of the longest-standing constitutions in Russian history.
The first-ever Russian Constitution was enacted on 6 May [O.S. 23 April] 1906. It was a revision of the 1832 Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire, which transformed the country from an absolute monarchy into a constitutional one.
The latest significant reform occurred in 2020, with extensive amendments to presidential terms, social policies, and the role of Russian law over international ones.
