Russian Political Institutions. Alon Handler, Sam Turer, Elena Anderson, Minahil Khan

Transcription

1 Russian Political Institutions Alon Handler, Sam Turer, Elena Anderson, Minahil Khan

2 Key Questions 1. How powerful are the Duma and the Federation Council? How many members are in each house, etc.? How much influence does Putin have over the Duma? 2. How is the rule of law used in Russia? 3. How powerful is the Constitutional Court in Russia? 4. What are the oligarchs and what is their power in Russia?

3 Questions #1: How powerful are the Duma and the Federation Council? How many members are in each house, etc. How much influence does Putin have over the Duma?

4 The Duma -Lower House -450 seats in duma -Given very little power by Constitution (still the more powerful house though) -however, has power to approve the presidential nomination for PM -can impeach president with 2/3rds majority -most legislation is introduced here

5 The Federation Council -upper house -170 seats - chairman of federation council becomes the president if the president and PM are incapacitated -works with Duma to make laws - are required to approve: -decrees of martial law -changes in Russia s borders

6 Putin s Power Putin has all the power changed election system to PR -decreased power of regional parties Most legislation originated from the president or Prime Minister (similar to UK)

7 Questions #2: How is the rule of law used in Russia?

8 The Russian Judicial System The Russian Judicial System has different courts: Constitutional Court Civil courts Courts of original jurisdiction Criminal, labor, inheritance cases as well as appeals Arbitrazh courts Specialized in commercial disputes Also deal with foreign court decisions Three tiers Were originally final courts for this

9 Russian Supreme Court Has final say in civil, criminal, and and administrative law cases Stemmed from the Supreme Court of the Soviet Union 115 Members Made of three parts: Judicial Panel for Civil Affairs Judicial Panel for Criminal Affairs Military Panel

10 Problems With Russian Civil Courts Considered too efficient by the West Efficiency valued over giving delays for discovery Cases are often decided based off of first impressions Inexperience Judges are not experienced with the law, since most of it was written so recently Expected to improve over time Cost Civil cases are very expensive to try

11 Strength of Rule of Law Russia is seen as having a very weak rule of law both by people abroad and at home Lack of protection of property rights has caused economic problems 2003: oil mogul Mikhail Khodorkovsky was put in jail on charges of fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering. Charges were considered to be politically motivated Led to fall in Russian stocks His pardon in 2013 led to a rise in Russian shares

12 Constitutional Court Details of the court: constitutional review 19 judges- appointed by president Independently exercises judicial power verifies constitutionality of laws decides conformity in constitution interprets constitution court that would preside over trial of president

13 Question #3: How powerful is the Constitutional Court in Russia?

14 Judge qualifications: A Judge must be a Russian citizen who has attained the age of 40, is of high moral character, has higher juridical education and work experience in the legal profession of at least fifteen years, and possesses recognized high qualifications in the sphere of law. cannot publicly express opinion on court questions cannot engage in political activities have terms until death or upon reaching age of 70

15 Power of the court has considerable power is able to rule laws as unenforceable can deem treaties violate constitution determines whether or not the actions of the president are constitutional

16 He s Putin his signature on that treaty v=sflcxjixvyw

17 Question #4: What are the oligarchs and what is their power in Russia?

18 Oligarchs Russia s oligarchy: the control of the state and economy by a small group of well-placed, extremely wealthy insiders (NY Times) still exists today is alive and well Putin devotes time to resolving disputes between these very powerful oligarchs even now, because they are so powerful in the business world ex. Igor I. Sechin, the head of the state oil company Rosneft, and Gennady N. Timchenko, a co-owner of Russia s largest oil trading company and an independent natural gas producer

19 Known Oligarchs Boris Berezovsky: 1997 admitted that he and 6 others controlled over half of Russian GNP

20 Oligarchs: An Interest Group interest group: a group of people who try to influence politics or the policies of government, business, etc., in a way that helps their own interests (Merriam Webster) major influence on the policymaking process during the Formative years of the Russian Federation--loose collection of oligarchs therefore an interest group when market capitalism suddenly replaced centralized econ control in 1991, members of nomenklatura bought companies and became very rich (now the oligarchs)

21 Power of the Oligarchy became obvious toward end of Boris Yeltsin s first term as President close ties to family monopolized industries and built huge fortunes--took advantage of Yeltsin s inattention to his presidential duties Berenovsky used media holdings to insure Yeltsin s victory in 1996 Yeltsin resigned in 2000 and Berenovsky formed Unity Party--Unity s Presidential candidate Putin won easily with more than half the vote

22 Putin s Resistance resistance to oligarchic control ex. Vladimir Gusinsky criticized Putin s reform plansgusinsky arrested for corruption and company given to state-owned monopoly Berenovsky and Gusinsky now in exile 2003: Mikhail Khodorkovsky CEO of Yukos Oil company in jail, released last year early this seen as warning to oligarchs that they heeded, largely withdrew from political activities econ trouble since 2007 has weakened oligarchs

23 Sources