Duma system in Russia

The Duma system in Russia refers to the parliamentary structure of the country, which includes the State Duma and the Federation Council.

The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly, the national legislature of Russia. It consists of 450 deputies who are elected for a term of five years. The State Duma has the power to pass laws, approve the budget, ratify international treaties, and exercise control over the executive branch.

The Federation Council, on the other hand, is the upper house of the Federal Assembly. It is composed of representatives from each of the 85 federal subjects of Russia. The Federation Council has the power to approve or reject legislation passed by the State Duma, as well as to initiate amendments to the constitution, appoint judges, and impeach the president.

The Duma system was established in 1905 as a result of the Russian Revolution of 1905, which led to the creation of a constitutional monarchy in Russia. However, the power of the Duma was limited during the rule of the tsars, and it was dissolved multiple times. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Duma was replaced by the Supreme Soviet, a structure that was transformed into the current Duma system after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Today, the Duma system plays a crucial role in the governance of Russia. It serves as a platform for political parties to debate and propose legislation and ensures a balance of power between the legislative and executive branches of government. However, critics argue that the Duma system is not truly representative due to the dominance of the ruling United Russia party and limited opposition influence.

In one sentence

The Duma system in Russia is the parliamentary structure consisting of the State Duma and the Federation Council, which play key roles in the legislative process and governance of the country.

The Duma system in Russia refers to the country's national legislature, known as the State Duma. It is the lower house of the Federal Assembly, the parliament of Russia.

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the Duma system in Russia:

1. Composition: The State Duma is composed of 450 deputies who are elected for a term of five years. The election is carried out using a mixed system, with half of the seats filled by proportional representation and the other half by single-mandate constituencies.

2. Powers and Functions: The State Duma has the power to pass laws, approve the budget, ratify international treaties, and control the activities of the government. It is also responsible for initiating legislation and exercising legislative oversight.

3. Political Parties: The Duma is a multi-party institution, with a range of political parties participating in the elections. The United Russia party, which supports the current president Vladimir Putin, has traditionally held a majority of seats in the Duma.

4. Committee System: The work of the State Duma is organized through a committee system. Different committees are responsible for specific areas of legislation and policy, such as finance, foreign affairs, defense, and social issues. The committees review draft laws, conduct parliamentary hearings, and prepare reports.

5. Legislative Process: In the legislative process, proposed laws are submitted to the State Duma and go through several readings and discussions. Once a bill is approved by the Duma, it is sent to the Federation Council, the upper house of the Federal Assembly, for review. If both houses agree on the final version, it is sent to the president for signing into law.

6. Relations with the Government: The State Duma exercises oversight over the government by questioning ministers and members of the government at parliamentary hearings. It also has the power of impeachment and can dismiss the prime minister or other top officials if necessary.

7. Role in Government Formation: After a presidential election, the Duma approves the appointment of the prime minister and the government. The president typically selects the leader of the party or coalition with a majority of seats as the prime minister.

Overall, the Duma system in Russia serves as a representative and legislative body, playing a key role in the country's democratic processes and governance.