Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation: chairman, composition, powers. Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation: formation procedure, composition, powers Who is the head of the federation council of the Russian Federation

25.10.2022

End of term* : September 2019

She was born in April 1949.

In 1972 she graduated from the Leningrad Chemical and Pharmaceutical Institute.

From 1984 to 1986 worked as the first secretary of the Krasnogvardeisky district committee of the CPSU in Leningrad.

In 1985 she graduated from the Academy of Social Sciences under the Central Committee of the CPSU.

From 1986 to 1989 she worked as deputy chairman of the Executive Committee of the Leningrad City Council.

In 1989 she was elected a people's deputy of the USSR. Being one of the youngest women - deputies, she headed the Committee of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on Women's Affairs, Family Protection, Motherhood and Childhood.

In 1991 she completed advanced training courses for leading diplomatic workers at the Diplomatic Academy of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1991 V.I. Matvienko moves to the diplomatic service, where she worked until 1998. He has the diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the USSR, the Russian Federation in the Republic of Malta.

Director of the Department for Relations with the Subjects of the Federation, Parliament and Social and Political Organizations, Member of the Board of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Greece.

Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation.

In 2003 V.I. Matvienko is appointed as the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Northwestern Federal District, and then, in the same year, is elected Governor of St. Petersburg - the "Northern Capital" of Russia.

On August 31, 2011, she was appointed a member of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation - a representative in the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation from the executive body of state power of the city of St. Petersburg. On September 21, 2011, she was unanimously elected Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, in 2014 she was again re-elected to this high state post. Since September 2011, he has been a permanent member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. In November 2011, she was elected Chairman of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

He has state awards: the Order of the Badge of Honor (1976), the Order of the Red Banner of Labor (1981), the Order of Honor (1996), the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, III degree (1999), the Order of Merit for the Fatherland » IV degree (2003), Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree (2009), Order of Merit for the Fatherland, I degree (2014), Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called (2019).

He has a number of foreign state awards: the Order of the Great Badge of Honor on the ribbon for services to the Republic of Austria (2001), the Order of Princess Olga of the III degree of the Ukrainian People's Republic (2002), the Grand Cross of the Order of Honor of the Hellenic Republic (2007), the Grand Knight's Cross of the Order Lion of Finland (2009), Order of the Legion of Honor of the French Republic (2009), Order for great love for independent Turkmenistan (2009), Order of Friendship of the Peoples of the Republic of Belarus (2009), Malta State Order "For Merit to the Republic" (2013 year), Order of Dostyk 2nd class of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2016).

She has also been awarded many medals.

Has a son and granddaughter.

Leisure: literature, theater, painting, music, sports (tennis, skiing).

1. Chairman of the Federation Council:

a) convene meetings of the Federation Council, including extraordinary ones;

b) draws up a draft agenda for a sitting of the Federation Council, submits it for consideration by the Council of the Chamber, submits to the Council of the Federation the draft agenda for a meeting of the Federation Council considered by the Council of the Chamber;

c) chair the meetings of the chamber;

d) signs resolutions of the Federation Council;

e) takes the oath of persons appointed to the positions of a judge of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation and the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation;

e1) (Clause "d1" is excluded in accordance with the Resolution of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated December 15, 2010 No. 556-SF);

f) is in charge of the internal regulations of the activities of the chamber in accordance with the powers granted to it by these Regulations;

f1) carry out general management of the organization and implementation of measures for the implementation of permanent parliamentary control;

g) distribute duties between the First Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council and the Deputy Chairpersons of the Federation Council (As amended by Resolution of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated September 19, 2008 No. 305-SF);

h) organizes the work of the Council of the Chamber and conducts its meetings;

i) coordinate the work of committees of the Federation Council ;

j) submit for preliminary consideration to the committees of the chamber in accordance with the issues within their jurisdiction the draft laws of the Russian Federation on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation approved by the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the State Duma), federal constitutional laws, federal laws adopted by the State Duma, and also bills, amendments to bills developed by a committee of the Federation Council, a member of the Federation Council, which are supposed to be submitted to the State Duma in the exercise of the right of legislative initiative of the Federation Council (As amended by Resolution of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated December 27, 2011 No. 568-SF);

j1) sends to the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, at its request, the documents and materials necessary for conducting a public examination of draft laws of the Russian Federation on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, draft federal constitutional laws and federal laws (with the exception of materials containing information constituting state or other protected secrecy by law) (Clause "k1" was introduced in accordance with Resolution No. 85-SF dated March 24, 2006 of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation);

l) submit for consideration to the legislative (representative) bodies of state power of the subjects of the Russian Federation adopted laws of the Russian Federation on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation;

m) forward to the President of the Russian Federation for signing and official publication the laws of the Russian Federation approved by the Federation Council on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal constitutional laws and federal laws;

o) submit to the State Duma draft laws of the Russian Federation on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal constitutional laws and federal laws rejected by the Federation Council;

o) sends to the committees of the Federation Council in accordance with their jurisdiction, as well as to the Legal Department of the Administration of the Federation Council for the preparation of proposals, legislative acts adopted by the Parliament of the Union State, the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Eurasian Economic Community, model legislative acts adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of States Members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, as well as drafts of the said acts (As amended by resolutions of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated October 6, 2006 No. 308-SF; dated December 27, 2011 No. 568-SF);

p) represents the chamber in relations with federal state authorities, state authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, local governments, public associations, as well as with parliaments of foreign states, international organizations, statesmen and public figures of foreign states;

c) participates in conciliation procedures used by the President of the Russian Federation in accordance with Part 1 of Article 85 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation to resolve disagreements between federal state authorities and state authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as between state authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation;

r) coordinates the organization of parliamentary hearings, round tables and other events held in the Federation Council;

s) approves the schedule for the reception of citizens by members of committees of the Federation Council, and also sends to other officials of the Federation Council for consideration individual and collective applications of citizens received by the Federation Council (As amended by resolutions of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated February 12, 2003 No. 25-SF; dated December 27, 2011 No. 568-SF);

t) resolves other issues of organizing the activities of the Federation Council in accordance with these Regulations and other regulatory legal acts;

u) exercises general management of the Staff of the Federation Council and controls its activities ;

v) approves, in agreement with the Council of the Chamber, the structure of the Staff of the Federation Council;

w) approves the staffing of the Staff of the Federation Council (As amended by Resolution of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated May 29, 2002 No. 254-SF);

x) with the consent of the Council of the Chamber, appoints and dismisses the Chief of Staff of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the Chief of Staff of the Federation Council), and also, on the proposal of the Chief of Staff of the Federation Council, appoints and dismisses first deputies (First Deputy ), Deputy Chiefs of Staff of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and other employees of the Staff of the Federation Council in accordance with the Regulations on the Staff of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation;

w1) signs a certificate for the badge of honor of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation "For merits in the development of parliamentarism" ( paragraph "sh1" was introduced by the Decree of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated May 26, 2004 No. 152-SF);

w) signs and presents the Certificate of Honor of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation;

z) by decision of the Council of the Chamber, sign and send to the President of the Russian Federation submissions on awarding state awards to members of the Federation Council and employees of the Staff of the Federation Council;

z) signs and sends the invitations of the Chamber to the members of the Government of the Russian Federation and other persons in accordance with the procedure established by Article 77 of these Regulations;

z) lead the work on planning the activities of the chamber;

z1) signs a power of attorney to a representative of the Federation Council when the case is considered by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation;

z2) submit proposals for consideration by the Federation Council on candidates for the appointment of authorized representatives of the Federation Council from among the members of the Federation Council (As amended by the Resolution of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated November 19, 2014 No. 530-SF);

z3) approves the instructions for office work in the Federation Council and the instructions for working with citizens' appeals in the Federation Council (As amended by Resolution of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of February 9, 2005 No. 20-SF);

z4) give instructions to committees of the Federation Council (As amended by Resolution No. 38-SF of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated February 22, 2012);

z5) give instructions to other officials of the Federation Council (As amended by Resolution of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated March 26, 2003 No. 79-SF).

2. The Chairman of the Federation Council issues orders and gives instructions on issues within his competence.

3. The Federation Council has the right to cancel the order of the Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the order of the Chairman of the Federation Council) that is contrary to the legislation of the Russian Federation and these Regulations.

4. The Chairman of the Federation Council, or on his behalf, the First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council, shall submit to the Federation Council reports on the activities of the chamber and on the draft program of its legislative work in accordance with the procedure established by the decision of the Federation Council, which are discussed at meetings of the Federation Council. Based on the results of the discussion, the Federation Council may adopt resolutions (As amended by resolutions of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated May 26, 2004 No. 152-SF; dated September 19, 2008 No. 305-SF).

5. The Chairman of the Federation Council, after agreeing with the Council of the Chamber, approves the rules for providing interbudgetary transfers from the federal budget to the budgets of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation to reimburse expenses related to material support for the activities of members of the Federation Council and their assistants in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and the rules for granting subsidies from the federal budget for state support for the media established by the Federation Council, submitted to the Council of the Chamber by the Committee of the Federation Council on Rules and Organization of Parliamentary Activities (As amended by resolutions of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation dated June 18, 2008 No. 223-SF; dated December 27, 2011 No. 568-SF).

6. The Chairman of the Federation Council approves the standards of financial, logistical and other support for the activities of members of the Federation Council, agreed in the prescribed manner by the Committee of the Federation Council on Rules and Organization of Parliamentary Activities.

(Part 6 was introduced in accordance with the resolution of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of June 18, 2008 No. 223-SF; as amended by the resolution of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of December 27, 2011 No. 568-SF.)

The Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation is the highest representative institution of the country. It ensures the expression of the interests of the population and conducts rule-making activities. The formation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation is carried out in accordance with the current legal acts. The structure includes two bodies, the competence, the features of the creation and activities of which are regulated by Federal Law No. 113 and 175.

Upper house of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

It is a permanent structure. It includes 2 representatives from the regions of the country. The Council is created in accordance with Federal Law No. 113. The competence of the SF includes the following issues:

Appointing the election of the head of state and removing him from office.
Approval of decrees issued by the president on the introduction of the military in the country as a whole or in its individual regions.
Appointment and removal from office of the Prosecutor General, Deputy Chairman of the Accounts Chamber and 50% of its auditors.
Approval of borders between regions.
Appointment of officers of the High Courts.

The Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation also gives its consent to the deployment of the country's armed forces outside its borders. Its jurisdiction also includes the approval or rejection of draft regulations.

Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

It is formed from 450 deputies. This body is the lower house of the Federal Assembly. Deputies are elected for 4 years. The first meeting is scheduled for the 30th day after the election or earlier than this date. Voting for deputies is carried out in the manner prescribed by Federal Law No. 175 and other regulatory acts regulating the electoral right. The State Duma is responsible for:

About trust in the government.
Appointment and removal from office of the chairmen of the Central Bank, the Accounts Chamber and 50% of auditors, as well as the Russian Commissioner for Human Rights.
Bringing charges against the president to remove him from power.
Approval of the candidacy for the post of Prime Minister, proposed by the head of the country.

In addition, the State Duma discusses and adopts draft regulations.

Rulemaking

The Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation is considered the key subject of the legislative process. The State Duma accepts draft regulations and sends them to the Federation Council for approval. A conciliation commission is created to resolve the disagreements that arise between them. An adopted normative act is a document approved by the State Duma and approved by the Federation Council. The procedure for adoption and approval is determined by the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The Federal Assembly sends the adopted and approved act to the president for signature.

Dissolution of the State Duma

It is carried out by the President. The grounds for the dissolution of the State Duma may be:

Threefold rejection of the candidacy for the post of Prime Minister proposed by the head of the country.
Denial of confidence in the Supreme Executive Body. In this case, the initiative should come from the Prime Minister.

The dissolution of the lower house is not allowed:

One year since its inception.
From the date of the indictment of the president until the decision on it is made by the Federation Council.
During a state of emergency or martial law in the country.
Six months before the expiration

After the dissolution of the State Duma, the head of the country sets the date for voting. At the same time, it should be determined in such a way that the newly created body meets no later than four months. since the disbandment.

The specifics of creating an SF

As part of the improvement of the public administration system, an administrative reform was carried out. In the course of it, certain changes were made to the procedure for the formation of parliament. The new rules were introduced into the Law "On the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation". In particular, the procedure for creating the Federation Council was determined. It included the heads of the executive and legislative bodies of the subject. However, by the end of the 1990s. this system was found to be ineffective. In accordance with the Law adopted on August 5, 2000, the Federation Council began to include not the heads, but representatives of the executive and legislative bodies of the subject. The heads of these structures, within three months from the date of taking up the post, appoint the relevant officials. This decision is made in the form of a resolution (decree). If at an extraordinary or scheduled meeting a third of the total number of deputies vote against the appointment, the order does not enter into force.

Nuance

It should be noted that the procedure for nominating representatives to the Federation Council from the unicameral and bicameral representative bodies of the subject is different. In the first case, from the date of the first meeting, a representative is selected within three months at the suggestion of the chairman. In the second case, candidates are proposed alternately by both chambers. An alternative proposal may be made by a group of deputies. A representative of each chamber is nominated for half of its term of office. The decision on appointment is made by secret ballot. The state authority no later than the next day after the entry into force of the resolution notifies the Federation Council of it and sends the corresponding act to the Federation Council within five days.

Other changes

The reforms affected the rules for the election of deputies to the State Duma. The fourth convocation was formed in accordance with the Federal Law adopted on December 20, 2002. Elections were held by 50% in single-mandate constituencies and 50% by lists submitted by political parties. Candidates could also run as self-nominees, from an electoral bloc or as part of an association. The right to nominate persons can only be used by those parties that have overcome the 7% threshold. The decision to present the list of candidates is approved by secret ballot. The total number of persons nominated by the Party may not exceed 270 persons.

FS regulations

The powers of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation are clearly regulated by legal documents. Each body included in the structure of the FS makes decisions by majority. For some issues, a different procedure for approving resolutions may be provided. Such cases are prescribed in the Constitution. It contains norms that clearly establish the range of issues related to the jurisdiction of the FS. In particular, the powers of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation are established in Art. 102 and 103. The Federation Council, for example, approves decisions both on issues referred to its competence by the current regulations and directly related to its internal activities. The latter are determined by the regulations, regulations and the relevant Federal Law. The Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation often considers topical issues relating to the life of the country. The resolutions often point out shortcomings of the existing state bodies, there are appeals to representative structures about the need to adopt certain regulations to improve the state of affairs. At the same time, the president annually reads a message to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. It sums up the results of the work done, and also sets new tasks. In accordance with them, the agenda of the meetings of the Federal Assembly is formed.

General areas of work

The Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation consists of two relatively independent parts. The main work on the adoption of normative acts is carried out in the State Duma. The Federation Council also has a legislative initiative. Draft normative acts that are submitted for consideration undergo a legal review and are endorsed by responsible persons. The Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation through the Federation Council can make statements, appeals, including to the government and the president. They are adopted in the manner provided for the approval of resolutions. As a rule, wishes are advisory in nature. As for the State Duma, it can also accept appeals and statements. They are issued by decree. Appeals and statements are quite diverse in their content. They are adopted much more often than in the Federation Council. The most pressing issues in them are the problems of a socio-economic and domestic political nature. At the same time, such appeals and statements, having a certain impact on the executive power structures, cannot contain binding norms for the government or the president. In this regard, they, like the recommendations of the Federation Council, may have an exclusively moral and political significance. The statements and appeals of the State Duma concerning the solution of international issues have a special influence on the activities of the executive branch. As a rule, they assess the foreign policy processes of foreign countries. Accordingly, such appeals and statements can cause a fairly large international resonance.

Parliamentary Center

In the middle of 2000 discussion began on the idea of uniting the Federation Council and the State Duma in one building. In 2012, this proposal was supported by D. Medvedev, the then president of the country. The authors of the project for the construction of a new building justified its need for crowdedness in the offices of parliamentarians, the great remoteness of the services necessary for the effective implementation of their duties, as well as the desire of the leadership to move power structures from the central part of the city to reduce traffic congestion. Various areas were considered as a location. The Parliamentary Center was proposed to be located on Kutuzovsky Prospekt, in Moscow City, on Frunzenskaya Embankment, in the Tushino Airfield, on Krasnaya Presnya, on Sofiyskaya or Moskvoretskaya Embankment. In September 2014, however, an area in the Mnevnichenskaya floodplain was selected.

Implementation difficulties

Members of the Federation Council and the State Duma, together with the Office of Presidential Affairs, the FSO, were asked to choose a project for the future building on the basis of an architectural competition. However, the work caused aesthetic controversy among parliamentarians. It was not possible to solve them even during the repeated competition. The issue of funding was a particular challenge. Initially, it was assumed that the costs of building the parliamentary center would be borne by a private investor, who would subsequently receive ownership of these structures. In the future, construction of a hotel complex, entertainment facilities, etc. was allowed in its place. It is assumed that the work of the parliamentary center may begin as early as 2020. However, according to other sources, construction was postponed due to the difficult socio-economic situation for an indefinite period .

Conclusion

The Federal Assembly acts as the highest representative and legislative body in the country. Its main task is rule-making activity. The FS discusses, supplements, changes, approves the most important laws on topical issues that arise in various spheres of the life of the state. The current regulations establish the procedure for the adoption of the Federal Law. It involves several readings of the draft in the State Duma, discussion, proposals and amendments. A prerequisite is the coordination of the document with the Federation Council. If the Federation Council reveals any shortcomings, appropriate recommendations are drawn up. They, together with the draft act, are sent back to the State Duma. The State Duma, having approved the amendments, votes for the adoption of the law. After that, he again goes to the Federation Council, and from there - to the president for signature. In this case, the head of the country can veto the Federal Law. The competence of the Federal Assembly also includes other issues relating to the internal political and socio-economic life of Russia.

Introduction

I. History of the Federation Council

II. Federation Council as a structural subdivision of the Parliament

2. Authority

III. Structure of the Federation Council

2. Departments and their functions

3. Guide

IV. New in the organization of activities

Conclusion

List of used regulatory legal acts and literature

Introduction

The Parliament, in accordance with the principle of separation of powers, being the body of national representation, exercises legislative power in the state. Historically, the bicameral structure of parliament arose in Western countries as a way to contain one chamber (upper) from the excessive radicalism of the other (lower).

In the Russian Federation, the bicameralism of the parliament is a rather new phenomenon, which arose only in 1990. At that time, the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, which included the Council of the Republic and the Council of Nationalities, acted as a representative body. Prior to that, starting from the October Revolution of 1917, the highest representative body of Russia was unicameral. However, bicameralism in the Russian Federation in the period from 1990 to 1993 was not very effective: the chambers of the Supreme Council mostly sat together, and the Presidium, the governing body of the parliament as a whole, played a dominant role, suppressing the initiative of both chambers.

The Constitution of the Russian Federation, adopted in 1993, established a new representative body - the Federal Assembly, which exercises legislative power in the Russian Federation. Since that moment, the Constitution of the Russian Federation of 1993 has made fundamental changes in the understanding of the structure of the federal parliament. The heterogeneous procedure for the formation of the chambers of the Federal Assembly, their exclusive competence served as a vivid example of this. In paragraph 1 of Article 95, the Constitution fixed the structure of the parliament: "The Federal Assembly consists of two chambers - the Federation Council and the State Duma." Since the Federation Council is the upper chamber of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, it should be noted that it is the bearer of a huge "package" of powers, and along with this, it exists as a fundamental basis for regulating the most important issues that arise in the public sphere.

In general, all subjects of jurisdiction, composition, structure and status of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation are regulated by the relevant regulatory legal acts, which, as a rule, are periodically supplemented or changed.

From the moment of formation to the present, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation as a chamber of the Russian Parliament has been studied by many scientists. The Federation Council, as the upper house of the Federal Assembly, is of interest to both the constitutionalists of Russia and abroad, and well-known experts in the field of state and legal disciplines. Along with them, with unquenchable interest, the Federation Council is also considered by figures who have contributed to the branch of historical sciences. Among the leading constitutionalists of the country, M.V. Baglaia, E.I. Kozlov, O.E. Kutafin and I.V. Grankin, who made a significant contribution to the constitutional law of the Russian Federation. Each of them wrote more than one scientific work on the constitutional law of the Russian Federation, and along with this, more than one book devoted to this branch of law, which became the first reference book for any constitutionalist. Also, separate articles about the Federation Council were devoted to such experts as N.V. Zorkin, S.M. Benetova, O.O. Mironov and L.A. Kravchenko.

As part of the course work, it is impossible to reflect all the information about the Federation Council, so I will try to dwell on the most important points regarding this chamber. I consider it necessary to fully disclose issues affecting the history of the emergence of the Federation Council, status, composition, and its competence.

I. History of the Federation Council

For the first time a body called "Federation Council" was created on July 17, 1990 under the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR (B.N. Yeltsin) and included the chairmen of the Councils of all autonomous republics, autonomous regions and autonomous districts (31 people) and the Chairmen of some regional, regional and city Soviets (31 people). From January 30, 1991, included the chairmen of the Councils of all 88 (then - 89) subjects of the Federation. In July 1991, the post of Chairman of the Federation Council was inherited by the new head of the Supreme Council R.I.Khasbulatov.

On September 8, 1993, President Yeltsin convened a meeting of the leaders of the executive and representative authorities of the regions, announced in advance by the constituent assembly of the new Federation Council and the prototype of the upper house of the new parliament, an alternative to the current Congress of People's Deputies of the Russian Federation. The meeting participants refused to sign the document on the creation of the Federation Council.

The Federation Council, as the upper house of parliament, was created by presidential decree No. 1400 of September 21, 1993 "On the dissolution of the Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation." The "Regulations on federal authorities for the transitional period" approved by the decree provided that the Federation Council shall act as part of the chairmen of legislative (representative) authorities and heads of executive authority (presidents of the republics) of each subject of the Federation until the expiration of the powers of the Councils of People's Deputies of the current convocation (March 1995). ). The Federation Council was to begin its parliamentary function after the election of a new State Duma. Yeltsin soon reconsidered his decision: on October 9, 1993, he issued a decree on the election of new representative bodies in the regions, and on October 11 he called direct elections to the Federation Council of the first convocation in 89 two-mandate constituencies. The constitution, adopted by referendum on December 12, 1993, established that the Federation Council "includes two representatives from each subject of the Russian Federation: one from the representative and executive bodies of state power."

The Federation Council of the first convocation (elected), as an exception established by the transitional provisions of the Constitution, was elected directly by the population on December 12, 1993 for a two-year term and sat from January 11, 1994 to January 15, 1996. Vladimir Filippovich Shumeiko was the Chairman of the Federation Council from January 13, 1994 to January 23, 1996.

The specific mechanism for the formation of the Federation Council from representatives of the authorities of the regions was to be established by federal law. The first version of the law (July 1995) - on direct alternative elections from among the candidates nominated by the authorities of the region, was rejected by the President. A week before the expiration of the term of the parliament of the first convocation, on December 5, 1995, the Duma adopted, and the President signed, a laconic law that entered into force on December 13, 1995 and was in force until August 2000. In accordance with this law, the Federation Council includes two representatives from each subject of the Russian Federation: the head of the legislative (representative) and the head of the executive bodies of state power, ex officio. In a bicameral legislative (representative) body of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation, a joint decision of both chambers determines its representative to the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. At the same time, the law prescribed that in all regions where heads of administrations were appointed by presidential decrees, elections should be held no later than December 1996.

Second ("governor-speaker") Federation Council was formed on January 23, 1996 for an indefinite term, but met from January 23, 1996 to December 26, 2001. Thus, the actual period of his activity, including the capture of the "transitional period", was 7 years. Yegor Semenovich Stroev was elected Chairman of the Federation Council during this period. The 1995 law on the formation of the Federation Council was challenged to the Constitutional Court by both houses of parliament. However, the request sent on December 9, 1995 by the Federation Council of the first convocation was withdrawn by the new composition of the chamber at its first meeting. A similar request by the new State Duma was rejected on April 10, 1997. The Constitutional Court recalled that the Duma itself could exercise its powers to amend the law it contested, instead of trying to influence positions in the intra-parliamentary discussion with the help of the decision of the Constitutional Court.

The State Duma Committee on Legislation prepared a draft law replacing the official principle of forming the Federation Council with an elective one. President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin submitted to the Duma in May 2000 his own draft law on the formation of the Federation Council, which provided for the replacement of the heads of executive and legislative bodies of the regions by representatives of these bodies. On May 31, 2000, the Duma considered both drafts and adopted Putin's draft in the first reading. After the adoption of the law by the Duma as a whole, it was rejected by the Federation Council. After the work of the conciliation commission, created at the insistence of the Duma, the Federation Council approved the law in the agreed wording. The law was signed by the President on August 5, published in the Collection of Legislation of the Russian Federation, and entered into force on August 7, 2000.

The transitional period of "coexistence" in the Senate of governors and speakers on the one hand, and "appointees" on the other, lasted from August 7, 2000 (the date of entry into force of the new law on formation) until January 30, 2002 ("organizational" 81st meeting).

Third Federation Council It was finally formed by January 1, 2002 for an indefinite period and has been sitting in a completely renewed composition since January 16, 2002. The regulations and structure of the Chamber were reformed on January 30, 2002. Chairman of the third Federation Council - Sergei Mikhailovich Mironov was elected earlier - on December 5, 2001 (re-elected on January 29, 2003).

In almost all countries where there is a parliament, it is divided into two chambers. This configuration is a convenient way to create a system of checks and balances. If one chamber leans toward radicalism, the other should block its decisions or change bills to make them more acceptable and effective. A similar device originated in the West and was adopted in modern Russia. The Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation is the upper house of parliament (the lower house is the State Duma).

Seat in Parliament

The upper chamber appeared in the Russian parliament in 1990. However, that prototype of the Federation Council had little in common with it and was a product of Soviet statehood. Everything changed in 1993, when a new constitution began to operate in the country. According to it, the Federation Council was established. The structure of the parliament is enshrined in Article 95 of the Basic Law of the Russian Federation.

There are fundamental differences between the two chambers of the Federal Assembly in their order of formation and competence. The Council was endowed with significant powers, which secured its status as the fundamental basis of the state. Recently, this body is increasingly called the Senate, and its members - senators. This trend can be traced both in unofficial journalism and in the speeches of government officials and the most important officials of the country.

Powers

Wide RF is fully described in the Russian constitution. The upper house can reject or approve any law previously passed in the State Duma.

Such documents are divided into several types. First of all, these are federal laws. The powers of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation are such that they are rejected by the usual mathematical majority of votes or passive non-consideration within 14 days. At the same time, the status of some laws may a priori make them mandatory for senators. In such a case, the document-ignoring mechanism does not apply.

Lawmaking

Laws affecting the federal budget, federal fees and taxes, financial, credit, currency and customs regulation are obligatory for consideration in the Federation Council. This group also includes issues of war and peace, the protection and status of the state border, the denunciation and ratification of international treaties, and, finally, the issue of money.

If the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation approves the law, the paper gets signed by the president. 112 votes (two-thirds of senators) override a head of state veto, and 126 votes (three-quarters of senators) approve constitutional amendment laws and federal constitutional laws.

Appointments

Two-thirds of the votes of the Federation Council can remove the president from his post. Senators appoint judges of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Arbitration Court and members of the Presidium of the Supreme Court. Among other things, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation decides who will take the position of the Prosecutor General and his deputies. appoints two representatives to the National Banking Council. It determines the auditors of the Accounts Chamber and its deputy chairman.

Bodies of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation appoint a third of the members of the CEC - the Central Election Commission that regulates the election process in the country. They also determine who will be one of the members of the Board of the Federal Commission that monitors the securities market. Representatives of the Senate are members of the Council for Civil Service under the Russian President.

Other features

There are powers that are not associated with appointments, which the Federation Council has. The constitution states that it is he who approves the new borders between the subjects of the Russian Federation, as well as the introduction of a state of emergency or martial law in the country. The upper house determines the date for the election of the head of state.

The Federation Council (chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation and senators) has the right to conduct work in the regime of its own meetings. They take place 1-2 times a month from October to July. Meetings may be extraordinary if such a proposal is received from the president, prime minister, government, a fifth of the members of the Federation Council or a region of Russia. A quorum requires the presence of half of the members of the upper house of parliament. If 50% is not collected, then the meeting is recognized as incompetent. As a rule, the Federation Council operates in open mode, but if it is provided for by the regulations, the mode may be closed.

Priority in work

The tasks of the Senate have a certain priority. First of all, the President's message to the Federal Assembly and his addresses are considered. Next come amendments to the Constitution, draft constitutional and federal laws. Some of them may have the status of subject to mandatory review. The third in this order are sending inquiries and proposals to the Constitutional Court. The last to be considered are the federal laws adopted by the State Duma concerning the issues of denunciation and ratification of international treaties.

The meetings of the Federation Council are held in accordance with the regulations. Senators have the opportunity to make a co-report, a report, a final speech. They also have the right to participate in debates, make statements and appeals.

Formation procedure

According to the law on the Federation Council, it gets two representatives from the subject of the Russian Federation. One represents the local parliament, the other - the executive branch. The term of office of a senator is two years. The composition of the Federation Council is changing gradually along with the change of power in the subjects.

According to the regulations, members of the upper house of parliament have immunity. They cannot be held criminally or administratively liable for expressing their position and opinion during voting. The Federation Council is structured and formed on the principle of non-partisanship. Its members do not create associations or factions, as is customary in the State Duma.

The term of office of the Federation Council as a whole is not limited in any way. In contrast to this body is subjected to "soft rotation". This means that the term of office of each of its members is determined by the regional authority. The Constitution provides for only three possibilities in which the State Duma and the Federation Council of Russia come together. This is hearing messages from the Constitutional Court, messages from the President and speeches by foreign heads of state. In general, each chamber adheres to the principle of non-intervention in the affairs of the other.

Composition

The Federation Council has 170 members. They are divided into committees (on defense and security issues, on judicial and legal issues and constitutional legislation, on tax policy, budget, financial regulation, etc.). One of the divisions is responsible for social policy. The other regulates property relations and economic reforms. Finally, there are committees for the CIS and international affairs. Some of the senators are involved in the departments for culture, science, education and agricultural policy.

Each committee prepares opinions on matters within its jurisdiction. He also develops and considers bills proposed for submission to the State Duma. Committees can initiate. Such divisions include all members of the Federation Council except for the chairman and several of his deputies. Each senator can only be a member of one committee, which must be composed of at least 10 people. The division into "sectors" must be approved by general vote (majority vote required).

Chairman

The Federation Council is headed by a chairman. Since 2011, this position has been held by Valentina Matvienko. The chairman has many organizational and representative powers. He conducts meetings, determines the internal order of the chamber, signs its resolutions, and distributes functions among his deputies.

The chairman sends to the committees bills adopted by the State Duma, as well as bills that are proposed to be submitted to the State Duma. He is elected by secret ballot. The nomination is approved by half and one vote.

Progress and relationship with the president

The Government of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council and other federal state bodies must work in unison, so the Federation Council always has a specific agenda. It is formed by the chairman and is based on the proposals of the committees and commissions of the upper house. Independently, an issue on the agenda can be put forward by a group of senators of at least 10 people, as well as two senators representing one subject of the Russian Federation. The special representative of the president in the Federation Council can make his own changes to the routine.

The head of state interacts with the upper house of parliament in other ways as well. The President's annual address to the Federal Assembly remains traditionally important. In it, the first person formulates the main problems and tasks that the state has faced and which need to be addressed first. For example, it may be a challenge related to the need to reform the taxation or the banking system. In this case, both the State Duma and the Federation Council should consider the proposed initiatives of the president.

History of formations

The first Federation Council worked in 1994-1996. It was transitional and therefore, as an exception, was elected directly by the population, and not by the authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Vladimir Shumeiko became his representative.

The Second Council of the Federation was also remembered as the "governor-speaker". He sat in 1996-2001. Its chairman was a distinctive feature of that Federation Council - it consisted of governors and chairmen of local legislative assemblies. The senators did not work on an irregular basis, meeting from time to time in Moscow.

The third period of formation of the Federation Council fell on 2002-2012. It was then that he finally got rid of his transitional features and took on a stable form. Sergei Mironov was the chairman of that Federation Council, and since 2011, Valentina Matvienko. The fourth upper house of parliament was formed at the end of 2012. It still operates today. The reformatting was associated with the adoption of a new federal law on the Federation Council.