Then And Now

9 Pages 2332 Words

e since they gain their independence in 1991.The country established a new constitution in 12 Dec 1993 and has elected new leaders to run the country. The new constitution greatly increased the power of the presidency, it also established basic democratic guidelines, such as fixed terms of office, electoral procedures, and universal suffrage for all citizens aged 18 or older. In general, the new constitutional also guarantees civil right and the rule of law. The Russian government has elected to concentrate most of the power to the executive branch, which is headed by the president Vladimir Putin, and the head of government premiere of Russia Mikhail Kasyanov. Although most of the power of the Russian government is concentrated in the executive branch the constitutional and political system has free election at all levels of government. The presidency is directly elected by the people to a four-year term and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. The president serves as the commander in chief of the armed forces and chairs the Security Council, which is the central decision-making body for matters of defense. With the defense minister, Sergey Borisovich Ivanov the president has control over Russia’s nuclear weapons. The president appoints the prime minister, who is second in command. The appointment is subject to ratification by the State Duma, the lower house of parliament; if the State Duma rejects the candidate for prime minister three times, the president can dissolve the legislature and call for new elections. The president has the right to dissolve the legislature under certain other conditions as well. In the event of the president’s death or permanent incapacitation, the prime minister temporarily takes on the president’s duties, but new presidential elections must be held within three months. The Federal Assembly is Russia’s bicameral national legislature. It is composed of an upper house, called the Council of ...