The Constitution is the basic law of the Russian Federation. Every citizen should know at least the most important provisions of this normative act. What determines the Constitution of our country? What does the main state law say? This article will provide a brief description of the Russian Constitution.
general information
The main law of our state was adopted on December 12, 1993. The document was developed over several years. The draft Constitution was approved at a national referendum and officially entered into force on December 25, 1993.
What features does the main state law have? Firstly, it is the highest legal force. No other normative act adopted on the territory of the Russian Federation shall be contrary to constitutional provisions. Secondly, this is the consolidation of the current state system. Political regime, form of government, territorial structure - all this is fixed in the basic law of the country.
Thus, the Constitution is the main state normative act. Direct legal action, fixing the foundations of the constitutional system in the Russian Federation, the basic form for the rest of the legislation - all these elements distinguish the main state law from other normative acts.
Fundamentals of the constitutional system in the Russian Federation
The first chapter of the Russian Constitution is the most important. The provisions of this chapter are not subject to change. Article 1 of the text of the Constitution establishes the most important principles of government in Russia. The law states that Russia is a democratic state. Only a people can act as a carrier of sovereignty and a source of power. Citizens of a country can exercise their power in two ways: directly, that is, by voting, and indirectly through their representatives.
The principle of federalism, enshrined in the same article, represents a certain freedom of action in state regions. The republican form of government means that the head of state shares his powers with three branches of government. Finally, the Russian Federation is recognized as a state of law. According to the Constitution, every person in the country has a number of powers and freedoms. Separately, it is worth highlighting the principles of secularism (independence from the church), freedom of economic space and social orientation.
Rights and freedoms of people in Russia
Chapter 2 of the state Constitution defines the rights of citizens. This chapter is also not subject to change. The only way to amend this part of the law is to adopt a new Constitution. Article 17 speaks of the inalienability of the rights and freedoms of Russians. Absolutely every person is endowed with the same range of powers, regardless of gender, race, worldview, etc. The most important rights to life, health, personal dignity, integrity, etc. are secured. Ideological diversity and the right to express an opinion are guaranteed. Article 37 speaks of freedom of work, and articles 43 and 44 speak of the right to education and creativity.
In Russia, there are a number of guarantees protecting the rights and freedoms of the country's population. We are talking about judicial protection, international treaties and control by state bodies. Rights and freedoms cannot be seized or restricted, except for some cases specified in article 55. This article refers to cases where human rights have to be sacrificed in order to protect the foundations of the political system, morality or health of other citizens.
Territorial structure of the Russian Federation
Chapter 3 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation defines the principle of federality of the state. According to article 65, 85 entities are part of the country (as of January 1, 2017). These are 22 republics, 3 cities of federal significance, 1 autonomous region and 4 autonomous districts, 46 regions and 9 territories. The Russian Constitution determines the status of each of the represented entities.
Separately, it is worth highlighting articles 71 and 72 of the main state law. Article 71 refers to the powers vested in the Russian Federation: foreign policy, defense, federal property, state borders and their protection, and so on. Article 72 establishes the joint powers of the subjects and the center. Issues of regional ownership, ecology, education and much more are all that is determined by the Constitution of our country.
About the head of state
The head of state in our country is the President. He acts as a guarantor of the Constitution, as well as the rights and freedoms of man and citizen. According to Article 81, the President is elected by popular vote directly for a term of 6 years. The head of state is obliged to meet a number of requirements. Before heading the country, the President must take the oath.
Article 83 of the Constitution refers to the powers of the head of state. Most of the functions are related to the provision to the Federation Council of candidates for appointment to government posts. He is entrusted with powers related to foreign policy, defense, the formation of the presidential administration, etc. The president is obliged to actively interact with all three branches of government: judicial, executive and legislative.
Legislative and executive branches
What determines the Constitution of our country in the field of separation of powers? The answer should be sought in chapters 5 and 6 of the basic law of the state.
Parliament is the legislative authority. In Russia, it is called the bicameral Federal Assembly. The lower house, the State Duma, is developing bills and submitting them to the upper house, the Federation Council. The lower house is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The upper house is formed indirectly - two representatives from each branch of government of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The Federation Council, in addition to lawmaking, is engaged in the appointment of officials.
The legislative process is a rather complex system. The project, developed by the lower house of Parliament, goes to the Federation Council. After a three-stage review, the normative act is sent to the Constitutional Court. This authority subjects the project to a review of compliance with the basic law of the state. Only after successful completion of all the procedures presented will the law be adopted.
The executive branch in Russia consists of the Government and its regional departments. The Government itself includes many ministries that implement executive duties in various fields of activity.
The judicial system in Russia
The Constitution defines the rights of Russian citizens. The court is the main guarantor of these rights. Constitutional, criminal, administrative, arbitration and civil proceedings are carried out by different types of courts. It is worth highlighting the lower courts - world, district and city. All of them act mainly as first instances.
The next step is the Supreme Court. This is a huge judicial body with many collegia, dealing with cases as a second instance.
Finally, the Constitutional Court. This is the most important state body whose authority includes monitoring compliance with the country's fundamental law.
The prosecutor's office, which is also referred to in chapter 7 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, is not included in the judicial system. It is an independent regulatory oversight body. Chapter 8 of the country's main law talks about local self-government - a system organized to address important regional issues.
Significance of the Constitution
What determines the Constitution of our country? In short, almost everything. The political system, human rights and freedoms, which are described in the first two chapters, are closely related to the subsequent provisions of the law. State bodies and the head of state act as guarantors that ensure the powers of people. In chapter 3, the Constitution defines Russia as a federal state, thereby consolidating its territorial structure.
The basic law of the state is the most important element of the legislative framework of our country. That is why every citizen of the Russian Federation should at least approximately know the content of the Constitution.