Federal Assembly. Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation - Parliament of Russia Specifics of the creation of the Federation Council

State Duma Factions

Government (340)

EP (340)

Opposition (110)

Communist Party of the Russian Federation (43)
LDPR (39)
SR (23)

Non-factional (2)

Federation Council Committees

10 committees and 3 commissions

Committees

on constitutional legislation and state building
on federal structure, regional policy, local government and Northern affairs
on defense and security
on international affairs
on budget and financial markets
on economic policy
on agrarian and food policy and environmental management
on social policy
on science, education and culture
on Rules and organization of parliamentary activities

Commissions

on monitoring the reliability of information on income, property and property-related obligations submitted by members of the Federation Council
temporary commission for the development of the information society
temporary commission on improving Russian legislation on the media
temporary commission on the development of Russian legislation on engineering and engineering activities
temporary commission for monitoring the implementation of the Federal Law “On amendments to certain legislative acts of Russia on issues of ensuring transport security”
temporary commission on the preparation and holding of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia
temporary commission for monitoring economic development
temporary commission to prepare proposals for improving the Family Code of Russia

The status of the Federal Assembly is defined in Chapter 5 of the Russian Constitution. The functions and powers of the Federal Assembly are distributed between two chambers - the State Duma (lower house of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation) and the Federation Council (upper house of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation). The Federal Assembly is a permanent body. The chambers sit in different buildings, but can meet together to hear messages from the President of the Russian Federation, messages from the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, and speeches by leaders of foreign states.

Structure of the Federal Assembly of Russia

The Federal Assembly consists of two chambers: the State Duma and the Federation Council.

The composition of the chambers, as well as the principles of their recruitment, are different. The State Duma consists of 450 deputies, and the Federation Council includes two representatives from each constituent entity of Russia: one each from the representative and executive bodies of state power (there are 85 constituent entities in the Russian Federation, therefore, 170 members of the Federation Council). At the same time, the same person cannot simultaneously be a member of the Federation Council and a deputy of the State Duma.

According to the new version of Art. 95 of the Russian Constitution, the Federation Council now also includes representatives of the Russian Federation appointed by the president, the number of whom is no more than 10% of the number of members of the Federation Council - representatives from the legislative and executive bodies of state power of the constituent entities of Russia.

The State Duma is elected for a constitutionally established term - 5 years, and the Federation Council does not have a set term for its legislature, but at the same time, members of the Federation Council - representatives from the constituent entities of the Russian Federation are vested with powers for the term of office of the corresponding government body of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation. Both the procedure for forming the Federation Council and the procedure for electing deputies to the State Duma are established by federal laws.

The Federal Assembly is a single parliamentary body, but this does not mean that its chambers act jointly in all cases. On the contrary, the Constitution of the Russian Federation establishes that the Federation Council and the State Duma meet separately. Chambers can meet jointly only in three cases established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation:

To hear messages from the President of the Russian Federation;
To hear messages from the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation;
To listen to speeches by leaders of foreign states.

The Constitution also provides for a joint meeting of members of the Federation Council and deputies of the State Duma to swear in the President of the Russian Federation

Salary of parliamentarians

The law on the status of deputies of the State Duma and members of the Federation Council states that the salary of deputies and senators is equal to the salary of ministers and, according to RBC data for 2018, a deputy received an average of 338.5 thousand rubles. per month.

Parliamentary Center

Since the mid-2000s, the idea of uniting the State Duma and the Federation Council in one building of the Parliamentary Center has been discussed in Russia. In 2012, the idea was supported by President Dmitry Medvedev. The reasons for the construction of the new building were the cramped working offices of parliamentarians, the remote location of services necessary for their work at ten addresses in Moscow, and the desire of the country's leadership to move government bodies from the city center to reduce traffic congestion.

Different areas of Moscow were considered for placement: Kutuzovsky Prospekt, Frunzenskaya Embankment, Moscow City, Tushinsky Airfield, Krasnaya Presnya (on the site of the stadium), Moskvoretskaya Embankment (on the site of the Military Academy of Missile Forces or the Rossiya Hotel), a site near the village of Kommunarka , Muzeon Park and Sofiyskaya Embankment. In September 2014, a territory was chosen in the Mnevnicheskaya floodplain, which was protested by environmentalists.

Members of both houses of parliament, the Federal Security Service, and the Office of the President of Russia were invited to choose a project for the future building on the basis of an architectural competition. But the submitted works caused aesthetic disagreements among parliamentarians, which the repeated competition did not help resolve.

The issue of financing also caused difficulties. Initially, it was planned to build the Parliamentary Center with funds from a private investor, who would then take ownership of the buildings of the State Duma and the Federation Council with the possibility of constructing hotels or other facilities in their place. However, according to the architectural critic Grigory Revzin, the State Duma is located in the building of the Council of Labor and Defense, built in 1935, by Arkady Langman, an architectural monument that is protected by the state and cannot be demolished.

The Parliamentary Center may begin its work by 2020. According to other sources, construction has been postponed indefinitely due to the difficult economic situation in the country.

Publications of the Federal Assembly

To cover their activities the following are published:

Magazine "

1. The Federal Assembly consists of two chambers - the Federation Council and the State Duma.

2. The Federation Council includes two representatives from each constituent entity of the Russian Federation: one each from the representative and executive bodies of state power.

3. The State Duma consists of 450 deputies.

1. The State Duma is elected for a term of five years.

2. The procedure for forming the Federation Council and the procedure for electing deputies to the State Duma are established by federal laws.

1. A citizen of the Russian Federation who has reached the age of 21 and has the right to participate in elections may be elected as a deputy of the State Duma.

2. The same person cannot simultaneously be a member of the Federation Council and a deputy of the State Duma. A deputy of the State Duma cannot be a deputy of other representative bodies of state power and local government bodies.

3. Deputies of the State Duma work on a professional permanent basis. Deputies of the State Duma cannot be in public service or engage in other paid activities, except for teaching, scientific and other creative activities.

1. Members of the Federation Council and deputies of the State Duma enjoy immunity during the entire term of their powers. They cannot be detained, arrested, searched, except in cases of detention at the scene of a crime, and also subjected to personal search, except in cases where this is provided for by federal law to ensure the safety of other people.

2. The issue of deprivation of immunity is decided upon the proposal of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation by the relevant chamber of the Federal Assembly.

Article 104

1. The right of legislative initiative belongs to the President of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council, members of the Federation Council, deputies of the State Duma, the Government of the Russian Federation, and legislative (representative) bodies of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The right of legislative initiative also belongs to the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation and the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation on issues within their jurisdiction.

2. Bills are submitted to the State Duma.

3. Bills on the introduction or abolition of taxes, exemption from their payment, on the issuance of government loans, on changing the financial obligations of the state, and other bills providing for expenses covered by the federal budget can only be introduced if there is a conclusion from the Government of the Russian Federation.

Article 105

1. Federal laws are adopted by the State Duma.

2. Federal laws are adopted by a majority vote of the total number of deputies of the State Duma, unless otherwise provided by the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

3. Federal laws adopted by the State Duma are submitted to the Federation Council for consideration within five days.

4. A federal law is considered approved by the Federation Council if more than half of the total number of members of this chamber voted for it or if it was not considered by the Federation Council within fourteen days. If a federal law is rejected by the Federation Council, the chambers may create a conciliation commission to overcome the disagreements that have arisen, after which the federal law is subject to re-examination by the State Duma.

5. If the State Duma disagrees with the decision of the Federation Council, the federal law is considered adopted if, during the repeated voting, at least two-thirds of the total number of deputies of the State Duma voted for it.

Article 106

Federal laws adopted by the State Duma on the following issues are subject to mandatory consideration in the Federation Council:

a) the federal budget;

b) federal taxes and fees;

c) financial, currency, credit, customs regulation, money issue;

d) ratification and denunciation of international treaties of the Russian Federation;

e) status and protection of the state border of the Russian Federation;

e) war and peace.

Article 107

1. The adopted federal law is sent to the President of the Russian Federation for signing and promulgation within five days.

2. The President of the Russian Federation, within fourteen days, signs the federal law and promulgates it.

3. If the President of the Russian Federation rejects it within fourteen days from the date of receipt of the federal law, then the State Duma and the Federation Council, in the manner established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, will again consider this law. If, upon re-examination, the federal law is approved in the previously adopted wording by a majority of at least two-thirds of the total number of members of the Federation Council and deputies of the State Duma, it is subject to signing by the President of the Russian Federation within seven days and promulgation.

MESSAGE

PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

TO THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

FEDERAL ASSEMBLY

Good afternoon, dear colleagues! Dear members of the Federation Council! Dear deputies of the State Duma! Citizens of Russia!

Today, as usual in Messages, we will talk about our tasks in the economy, social sphere, domestic and foreign policy. This time we will pay more attention to the economy, social issues and domestic politics.

We have to solve all these problems in difficult, extraordinary conditions, as has happened more than once in history. And the people of Russia have once again convincingly proven that they are capable of responding to difficult challenges, defending and defending national interests, sovereignty and the country’s independent course.

But here is what I would like to say, dear colleagues, in this regard. I’ve already said this publicly several times, but I’d like to repeat it today.

Citizens have united - and we see this, we must say thanks to our citizens for this - around patriotic values, not because they are happy with everything, that everything suits them. No, there are enough difficulties and problems now. But there is an understanding of their reasons, and most importantly, confidence that together we will definitely overcome them. Willingness to work for Russia, cordial, sincere concern for it - this is what underlies this unification.

At the same time, people expect that they will be provided with ample and equal opportunities for self-realization, for implementing entrepreneurial, creative, and civic initiatives; they expect respect for themselves, for their rights, freedoms, and for their work.

The principles of fairness, respect and trust are universal. We firmly defend them - and, as we see, not without results - in the international arena. But to the same extent we are obliged to guarantee their implementation within the country, in relation to each person and the entire society.

Any injustice or untruth is perceived very sharply. This is generally a feature of our culture. Society decisively rejects arrogance, rudeness, arrogance and selfishness, no matter who all this comes from, and increasingly values such qualities as responsibility, high morality, concern for public interests, willingness to hear others and respect their opinions.

The role of the State Duma as a representative body has grown. In general, the authority of the legislative branch has strengthened. It must be supported and confirmed by deeds. This applies to all political forces represented in parliament.

But, of course, the United Russia party, which, by the way, is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary today, has a special responsibility. The party has a constitutional majority in the State Duma and is the main support of the Government in parliament. And we need to organize our joint work in such a way that all promises and obligations made to citizens are fulfilled.

It was the citizens who determined the results of the election campaign, chose the path of creative development of the country, and proved that we live in a healthy society, confident in its fair demands, in which immunity to populism and demagoguery is strengthened and the importance of mutual support, cohesion, and unity is highly valued.

We are not talking, of course, about some kind of dogma, about ostentatious, false unity, much less about coercion to a certain worldview - all this, as you well know, happened in our history, and we are not going to go back to the past.

But this does not mean that by juggling with beautiful words and hiding behind arguments about freedom, someone can offend the feelings of other people and national traditions.

You know, if someone considers themselves more advanced, more intelligent, even considers themselves smarter than someone else in something - if you are like that, but treat other people with respect, this is natural.

At the same time, of course, I consider a counter-aggressive reaction unacceptable, especially if it results in vandalism and violation of the law. The state will react harshly to such facts.

Tomorrow we have a meeting of the Council for Culture - we will definitely discuss issues that cause broad discussion, we will talk about the principles of mutual responsibility of representatives of civil society and artists.

But I want to especially emphasize: in culture, in politics, in the media and in public life, in polemics on economic issues, no one can prohibit free thinking and openly expressing one’s position.

I repeat, when we talk about solidarity and unity, we mean the conscious, natural consolidation of citizens for the sake of the successful development of Russia.

Is it possible to achieve meaningful strategic goals in a fragmented society? Is it possible to solve these problems with parliament, where instead of effective work there are competitions of ambitions and fruitless bickering?

Is it possible to develop with dignity on the shaky ground of a weak state and a weak-willed government controlled from the outside that has lost the trust of its citizens? The answer is obvious: of course not.

Recently we have seen many countries where such a situation opened the way to adventurers, coups and, ultimately, anarchy. Everywhere the result is the same: human tragedies and sacrifices, decline and ruin, disappointment.

It is also of concern that in the world, even in the seemingly most prosperous countries and stable regions, more and more new fault lines and conflicts are emerging on political, national, religious, and social grounds.

All this is superimposed on the acute migration crisis that, for example, European and other countries are facing. We know well the consequences of so-called great upheavals. Unfortunately, in our country in the last century there were many of them.

The coming year 2017 is the centenary year of the February and October revolutions. This is a good reason to once again turn to the causes and very nature of the revolution in Russia. Not only for historians and scientists - Russian society needs an objective, honest, in-depth analysis of these events.

This is our common history, and we need to treat it with respect. The outstanding Russian and Soviet philosopher Alexei Fedorovich Losev also wrote about this. “We know the whole thorny path of our country,” he wrote, “we know the agonizing years of struggle, lack, suffering, but for the son of his Motherland, all this is his own, inalienable, dear.”

I am sure that the absolute majority of our citizens have exactly this feeling of the Motherland, and we need the lessons of history, first of all, for reconciliation, for strengthening the social, political, civil harmony that we have managed to achieve today.

It is unacceptable to drag splits, anger, grievances and bitterness of the past into our lives today, to speculate in our own political and other interests on the tragedies that affected almost every family in Russia, no matter which side of the barricades our ancestors found themselves on then. Let us remember: we are one people, we are one people, and we have one Russia.

Dear Colleagues!

The meaning of our entire policy is to save people, to increase human capital as the main wealth of Russia. Therefore, our efforts are aimed at supporting traditional values and family, demographic programs, improving the environment, human health, and developing education and culture.

In 2013—demographers have a concept called “fertility rate”—it was 1.7 in Russia, which is higher than in most European countries. For example, I’ll say: Portugal - 1.2; in Spain and Greece - 1.3; Austria, Germany, Italy - 1.4; in the Czech Republic - 1.5. This is data for 2013. In 2015, the total fertility rate in Russia will be even higher, slightly, but still higher - 1.78.

We will continue changes in the social sphere so that it becomes closer to people, to their needs, and is more modern and fair. Social sectors must attract qualified people, talented youth, so we are raising the salaries of specialists and improving their working conditions.

I would like to note that competition for medical and pedagogical universities - quite recently it was almost zero - is steadily growing. In 2016, it was 7.8 people for teaching specialties, and after admission in 2016, the total competition for budget-funded places in medical universities was already almost 28 people per place. May God grant health and success to all young specialists in their work in the future.

I remember well how at one time I discussed with my colleagues projects for the development of high-tech medical care, as well as a network of perinatal centers, which we did not have at all. Now, in 2018, there will already be 94 of them in Russia.

And today our doctors save newborns in the most difficult cases. And according to these indicators, we have also taken the position of the leading countries in the world.

At the end of 2015, the infant mortality rate in Russia was 6.5 per thousand live births, and in the European region of the World Health Organization the figure was 6.6, that is, we were already a little better. Based on the results of 10 months of 2016, Russia reached the level of 5.9.

Over the past ten years, the volume of high-tech medical care has increased 15 times. Hundreds of thousands of complex operations are performed not only in leading federal centers, but also in regional clinics. If in 2005, when we started this program, 60 thousand people in Russia received high-tech medical care, in 2016 this will already be 900 thousand. We also need to move on. But still, compare: 60 thousand and 900 - the difference is significant.

Next year we need to put in place mechanisms for sustainable financing of high-tech care. This will make it possible to further increase its availability and reduce waiting times for operations.

In general, it must be said frankly that problems in healthcare remain in general; there are still a lot of them. And above all, they concern primary care. Its development must be given priority attention.

Citizens are often faced with queues and a formal, indifferent attitude. Doctors are overloaded, it is difficult to get to the right specialist. There are often cases when clinics are equipped with the latest equipment, but medical workers simply do not have enough qualifications to use this equipment.

Starting next year, regular retraining of doctors will be organized at federal and regional medical centers and universities. At the same time, with the help of an educational certificate, a specialist will be able to choose where and how to improve his qualifications.

We will continue to increase the level of healthcare informatization in order to make it convenient and simple to make appointments and maintain documentation. It is necessary to free doctors from routine, from filling out heaps of reports and certificates, and give them more time to work directly with the patient.

Also, with the help of information technology, the efficiency of control over the market of vital drugs will be significantly increased. This will make it possible to get rid of fakes and counterfeits, and stop inflated prices when purchasing medicines for hospitals and clinics.

Over the next two years, I propose to connect all hospitals and clinics in our country to high-speed Internet. This will allow doctors, even in a remote city or village, to use the capabilities of telemedicine and quickly receive advice from colleagues from regional or federal clinics.

I would like to draw the attention of the Ministry of Communications to this. The Minister assured us that this task is absolutely realistic and achievable.

I just said this from the podium, the whole country will now watch this closely.

Taking into account its geography, huge, sometimes difficult to access territories, Russia also needs a well-equipped air ambulance service. Starting next year, the air ambulance development program will cover 34 regions of the country, which will receive funds from the federal budget.

First of all, this is Siberia, the North, the Far East. For these purposes (the deputies know about this, this was also your initiative) in 2017, 3.3 billion rubles will be allocated (this should pass in the second reading) for the purchase of aviation services as part of the air ambulance development project.

Dear Colleagues! Everywhere throughout our large country, children should study in convenient, comfortable, modern conditions, so we will continue the program of reconstruction and renovation of schools. We should not be left with school buildings that are in disrepair, dilapidated, and lack basic amenities.

It is finally necessary to solve the problem of third shifts, and then second shifts. And of course, additional efforts need to be directed toward improving the qualifications of teachers. You know that since 2016, a program to create new places in general education organizations has been implemented. This program is designed for 2016 - 2025, 25 billion rubles are provided.

By the way, you and I know well that this is primarily the responsibility of the regional level. But we decided to support the regions in this important area. In total, 187,998 new school places are planned to be created between 2016 and 2019.

At the same time, the most important thing that worries parents and teachers, the public, is, of course, the content of the educational process, to what extent school education meets the two basic tasks that Academician Likhachev spoke about: providing knowledge and educating a moral person. He rightly believed that the moral basis is the main thing that determines the viability of society: economic, state, creative.

But teaching hours from the school curriculum alone will clearly not be enough here - we need projects in the theater, cinema, television, museums, and on the Internet that will be of interest to young people and will attract the attention of young people to Russian classical literature, culture, and history.

At school, it is necessary to actively develop creativity; schoolchildren must learn to think independently, work individually and in a team, solve non-standard problems, set goals for themselves and achieve them, so that in the future this will become the basis for their prosperous, interesting life.

It is important to cultivate a culture of research and engineering work. Over the next two years, the number of modern children's technology parks in Russia will increase to 40; they will serve as a support for the development of a network of technical clubs throughout the country. Business, universities, and research institutes must join in this work so that the children have a clear understanding: they all have equal opportunities for a start in life, that their ideas and knowledge are in demand in Russia, and they will be able to prove themselves in domestic companies and laboratories.

As the educational center for talented children “Sirius” has already declared itself successful. I believe that we need a whole constellation of such platforms, and I would recommend that the heads of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation think about creating centers for supporting gifted children in the regions on the basis of the best universities and schools.

But at the same time, what would I like to say here and what would I like to draw attention to? Our entire education system should be based on a fundamental principle: every child and teenager is gifted and capable of succeeding in science, creativity, sports, profession and life. Revealing his talents is our task, this is the success of Russia.

Dear Colleagues! I see in the younger generation a reliable, strong support for Russia in the turbulent, complex 21st century. I believe that this generation is capable of not only responding to the challenges of the time, but also participating on equal terms in shaping the intellectual, technological, and cultural agenda for global development.

It is no coincidence that many schoolchildren and students today participate in volunteer projects; they are actively developing in such important areas as caring for the sick, supporting the elderly, people with disabilities, education, sports, culture, local history, search movements, caring for nature and animals .

A special feature of our time is the widespread involvement of citizens in a variety of charitable events. Calls on social networks and the media to raise funds for the treatment of patients and to help children quickly receive a response, and people do this sincerely, selflessly, as a response to the dictates of their hearts. Sometimes you are even surprised how people with little income quickly respond to their inner need to help those who especially need it.

I ask the Public Chamber and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives to substantively engage in supporting volunteer and charitable movements and non-profit organizations. The will and generosity of the citizens who participate in such projects create the atmosphere of common affairs that Russia needs so much, create colossal social potential, and it must be in demand.

It is necessary to remove all barriers to the development of volunteerism and provide comprehensive assistance to socially oriented non-profit organizations. The main decisions here have already been made. Starting next year, opportunities will open up for non-profit organizations with relevant experience to provide social services financed from the budget.

Now, dear colleagues, I would like to address many of you. I want both governors and municipal authorities to hear me. I ask you, as they say, not to be greedy, not to give out of habit, out of established preference, exclusively to government structures, but to involve social services and non-profit organizations to the maximum extent possible. Let's be honest, they haven't lost sight of it yet; a cordial attitude towards people is very important. And let's together keep these issues under special control.

We are all interested in ensuring that the active entry of NPOs into the social sphere leads to an improvement in its quality. I instruct the Government, together with legislators, to complete the formation of a clear legal framework for the activities of NGOs - performers of socially useful services, to establish requirements for their competence, and at the same time, of course, without adding additional bureaucratic barriers. It is necessary to appreciate the demanding, interested, active position of citizens.

Once again I want to appeal to many of you: do not hide in your offices, do not be afraid of dialogue with people - meet halfway, talk honestly and openly with people, support their initiatives, especially when it comes to issues such as the improvement of cities and towns, conservation historical appearance and creation of a modern living environment.

Unfortunately, sometimes these issues are resolved behind the scenes, and when this happens, you really want to ask: “Are you sure that what you are proposing, based only on the ideas that arise in the back offices, is the best offer? Wouldn’t it be better to seek advice?” with people, ask them how they want to see the streets, their yards, parks and embankments, sports and playgrounds?”

Next year we will allocate 20 billion rubles to the regions for improvement programs, including single-industry towns, and it is a matter of principle that the residents themselves should participate in making decisions on the use of these resources and determine which improvement projects to implement first. I ask the All-Russian Popular Front to actively join in this work, and at the same time I draw attention to: it is necessary not only to organize effective control, but with its help to achieve the specific result that people are waiting for, and, of course, we need to support citizens who are ready to join improvement projects . It is important that civil society actively participates in solving such problems as improving environmental legislation, preserving rare species of animals and plants, and creating a humane system for treating stray animals.

Next year, 2017, has been declared the Year of Ecology. I instruct the Government to prepare programs for the conservation of unique natural symbols of Russia, such as the Volga, Baikal, and Altai.

Throughout the country, we need to start cleaning up contaminated areas, eliminating the landfills that the surroundings of many settlements have turned into. We recently spoke about this with activists of the All-Russian Popular Front. This is a problem not only in large cities, but also in villages and towns.

Further, large-scale programs to develop the modernization of the road network are already underway in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Starting next year, we will begin such projects in other large cities and urban agglomerations, where about 40 million people live. In two years, at least half of the roads here should be put in order. Now I will not dwell on this in more detail here, the decision has been made, the appropriate means have been outlined, we just need to work effectively.

We will pay the necessary attention to both the most important federal highways and the construction of a facility of national importance - the Crimean Bridge, its construction is progressing according to schedule.

Dear colleagues, two years ago we were faced with serious economic challenges, with unfavorable conditions on world markets, with sanctions that tried to force us to dance to someone else’s tune, as our people say, to neglect our fundamental national interests. However, I repeat, the main reasons for the economic slowdown lie, first of all, in our internal problems. First of all, this is a shortage of investment resources, modern technologies, professional personnel, insufficient development of competition, and flaws in the business climate. Now the decline in the real sector has stopped, and there has even been a slight industrial growth. But you know that last year our GDP decline was about 3.7 percent, I think that this year it will be insignificant. Over the 10 months of 2016 it amounted to 0.3 percent, and I think that this will be approximately the case.

Programs to support a number of industries, as well as the housing market, played an important role. I will also say this now, because there has been an increase in industrial production, a small, but positive trend - of course, it will need to be maintained.

So, on the housing market. In 2015, more than 85 million square meters of housing were commissioned. This is a record figure in the entire history of the country.

We will continue to provide targeted assistance to those sectors of the economy that are still facing negative conditions. I have already said that there has been a certain, modest, but still growth in the field of industrial production.

In the automotive industry as a whole, we have a slight decrease, but for trucks - an increase of 14.7 percent, for light commercial vehicles - an increase of 2.9, for buses - an increase of 35.1 percent. In railway engineering there is an increase of 21.8, in freight cars - 26. The growth in the production of machinery and equipment for agriculture is showing very good dynamics - 26.8 percent. There is also a positive trend in light industry.

We have ensured macroeconomic stability, which is very important, and maintained financial reserves. The gold and foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank did not decrease, but even increased. If on January 1, 2016 it was 368.39 billion dollars, now it is 389.4, almost 400 billion. The dynamics here are also positive.

We expect that by the end of this year, inflation will decrease significantly; it will be below 6 percent. Here I would also like to turn to numbers. If you remember, inflation in 2015 was 12.9 percent. I hope that this year it will not rise above six, it will be somewhere around 5.8. The dynamics are obviously positive and significantly positive.

Let me remind you that the lowest inflation was recorded in 2011. It was 6.1 percent. I repeat again, this year it may even be less. This means we can actually reach the 4 percent target next year. These are very good preconditions for achieving significant growth on the basis of a healthy economy.

However, I want to emphasize: stabilization does not mean an automatic transition to a sustainable rise. If we do not solve the basic problems of the Russian economy, if we do not fully unleash new growth factors, then we may be stuck near the zero mark for years, and that means we will have to constantly squeeze in, save, and postpone our development until later. We cannot afford this.

We have a different path, which involves clearly setting goals and gradually, systematically achieving them. It is this approach that has repeatedly given significant positive results, and in a fairly short time. Thus, at one time it seemed that problems in agriculture would exist almost forever. We know how they talked about this and how offended our agricultural producers were when they talked about agriculture as a kind of black hole, where no matter how much money you give, there is still no result. No, it turns out that everything can be arranged completely differently. We found proven solutions, adopted a state program, created a flexible system of supporting agricultural producers, and today the agricultural sector is a successful industry that feeds the country and conquers international markets.

But here, as our people say, every cloud has a silver lining, our so-called partners have introduced sanctions, which I said, we are taking retaliatory measures. Well, we helped our agricultural producers in the domestic market. But they must not forget that this cannot and probably will not continue forever, and the consumer needs a competitive environment in the market, so this favorable situation that has developed today must, of course, be taken full advantage of.

The export of agricultural products, which I have already mentioned, gives us more today than the sale of weapons. Just recently, we probably couldn’t even imagine this. I have already spoken about this publicly, and I can repeat it again from this rostrum. By the way, in the field of arms exports, we also maintain a fairly serious position: in 2015, $14.5 billion worth of exports were sold on the foreign market, and agricultural products worth more than 16 billion, 16.2 billion. This year we expect even more, it will be 16.9, most likely very good. Let's thank agricultural workers for this.

In the development of agriculture, much depends on the regions. I believe that they need to be given more independence in determining the priorities for the use of federal subsidies to support the agro-industrial complex, and their volume itself should be linked to an increase in arable land, an increase in productivity, and other qualitative indicators of production efficiency, thereby creating an incentive for putting idle agricultural land into circulation and introducing advanced agricultural technologies.

Here I would like to emphasize: if we give more independence in the use of federal budget funds, federal support, then the regions should also be responsible for the results and effective investment of the resources received, for strengthening their own economic base, solving problems in the social sphere, in housing and communal services increase.

Further, in order for our farmers to have new opportunities to enter the market, it is necessary to pay special attention to supporting agricultural cooperation. I ask the Ministry of Agriculture, Rosselkhozbank, Rosagroleasing, as well as the Corporation for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises to take up this issue; next year we will replenish its capital by almost 13 billion rubles.

We carried out a deep modernization of defense-industrial enterprises and the defense-industrial complex. The result is an increase in production volumes and, most importantly, a significant increase in labor productivity. The defense industry shows very good performance here and sets a good example. In 2016, the expected growth rate of defense industry production will be 10.1 percent, and the expected growth rate of labor productivity will be 9.8 percent.

And now it is necessary to focus the industry on the production of modern competitive civilian products for medicine, energy, aviation and shipbuilding, space, and other high-tech industries. In the next decade, its share should be at least a third of the total production volume in the defense-industrial complex.

I ask the Government to organize systematic work to solve this problem with the participation of development institutions, VEB, the Russian Export Center, and the Industrial Support Fund.

Dear colleagues, the IT industry has become one of the fastest growing industries in our country, which is very pleasing. The volume of exports of domestic companies has doubled over five years. I have just given figures for the volume of exports of the defense industry and agricultural products. The defense industry is 14.5 billion. More recently, IT technologies amounted to a figure that was close to zero, now it is 7 billion dollars.

Other indicators also increased: revenue, tax revenues. Such returns were provided, including benefits on insurance premiums. The Ministry of Finance asked me not to say that this was only thanks to the benefits; I say that there were other, of course, tools to support the industry, but still we must admit that these benefits played a significant role in supporting IT companies. This measure allowed them to effectively realize their intellectual innovative potential. Look, at the beginning of their journey, in 2010, their tax contributions amounted to just over 28 billion rubles, and two years later - already 54 billion rubles. Imagine how tall it is! At the same time, the so-called lost income, taking into account benefits, is only 16 billion rubles. That is, real income even for the budget. To maintain this dynamic, I propose to extend these benefits until 2023. I am sure that in the next decade there is every opportunity to make the IT industry one of the key export industries in Russia.

The examples mentioned above show that we are already purposefully changing the structure of the economy, updating existing industries and forming new ones, creating modern companies capable of operating in world markets. We need to continue to move in this direction systematically and aggressively. What is needed is not abstract scenarios in which little depends on us, but a professional, verified forecast of development. It is necessary to clearly define what contribution to economic growth will be made by improving the business climate, launching large investment projects, increasing non-resource exports, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, and other measures, and what the role of regions and individual industries will be.

I instruct the Government, with the participation of leading business associations, no later than May of next year, to develop a substantive action plan until 2025, the implementation of which will make it possible to achieve economic growth rates above world rates at the turn of 2019-2020, and therefore to increase Russia’s position in the global economy.

Dear Colleagues! I repeat, it is important that such a plan is supported and has the confidence of the business community, so that entrepreneurs are actively involved in its implementation. Today, it is obvious that people are growing in demand for expanded economic freedoms (we have talked about this more than once), for stable, sustainable, predictable rules for doing business, including the tax system.

Let me remind you that in 2014 we decided to fix the current tax conditions for business for four years. They did not revise them, despite changes in the economic situation, and this certainly had a positive impact on the work of enterprises.

At the same time, we must orient our tax system so that it works for the main goal: to stimulate business activity, to grow the economy and investment, and to create competitive conditions for the development of our enterprises. It is necessary to streamline existing fiscal benefits, make them more targeted, and abandon ineffective instruments.

I propose that over the next year, we carefully and comprehensively consider proposals for setting up the tax system, and be sure to do this with the participation of business associations. Despite the internal political calendar, we still need to prepare and adopt in 2018 all the relevant amendments to the legislation, to the Tax Code, and put them into effect from January 1, 2019, fixing new, stable rules for the long term.

At the same time, I ask the Government to work on improving the mechanisms for ensuring a sustainable budget and public finances, fulfilling all our obligations, regardless of external factors, including hydrocarbon prices.

Further. We have seriously updated the legal framework in the field of entrepreneurship. Now it is important to ensure effective law enforcement - and above all on the ground. Please note that in each region of the country, basic services for business: construction permits, access to infrastructure, and so on and so forth - must fully comply with the requirements of federal legislation and best regional practices.

Dear Colleagues! Quite recently in Yaroslavl, I think, we gathered and talked about this topic. This is some kind of impenetrable topic. This is an extremely important area of our joint activities. We will closely monitor what is happening in the regions in these areas and determine the quality of work of regional teams largely based on these indicators. And this fundamental task must be solved next year. This will allow us to ensure not only a uniform, but also an equally high quality of business environment in all regions of Russia.

You and I have talked a lot about improving control and supervisory authorities; we have been talking about this for many years. Starting next year, their transparency will radically increase; data will be publicly available: who checks whom, how often, what results are obtained.

This will make it possible to quickly respond to abuses, to every fact of violation of the rights of entrepreneurs by controllers. Now I will not list all these decisions made, there are enough of them, it is only necessary that they be implemented. It is necessary to cancel instructions that do not in any way affect the quality of services or ensure the safety of citizens, but at the same time tie businesses hand and foot.

I would like to draw the attention of the Government: in the work of control and supervisory authorities, it is necessary to accelerate the introduction of an approach based on risk assessment, which will significantly reduce the number of inspections, but increase their effectiveness. I will add that supervisory authorities should be engaged not only in identifying violations, but also in prevention, not formally, but meaningfully, and (this is very important!) provide advisory assistance to entrepreneurs, especially those who are just starting their own business.

I have already given a direct instruction to exclude the interpretation of “the work of self-employed citizens as illegal entrepreneurial activity.” There is no need to cling to them for far-fetched reasons. And so that there are no such reasons at all, I ask you to clearly define the legal status of self-employed citizens over the next year and give them the opportunity to work normally and calmly.

Everyone who works honestly in their business or as an employee should feel that the state and society are on their side. Justice is not about equalization, but about expanding freedom, creating conditions for work that brings respect, prosperity and success. And vice versa - everything that limits opportunities and violates people’s rights is unfair.

Last year's Address talked about pressure on business from some representatives of law enforcement agencies. As a result of such actions, successful companies often fall apart, and people's property is taken away.

I would like to thank the parliamentarians for their support of the bill, which significantly increases the criminal liability of law enforcement officers for fabricating cases, including with the aim of interfering with the work of entrepreneurs.

I will separately dwell on the topic of the fight against corruption. In recent years, there have been many high-profile cases against officials at the municipal, regional, and federal levels. At the same time, I would like to emphasize that the vast majority of civil servants are honest, decent people working for the good of the country. But neither position, nor high connections, nor past merits can be a cover for dishonest government officials. However (and I would also like to draw attention to this) before the court’s decision, no one has the right to pronounce a verdict on a person’s guilt or innocence.

And further. Unfortunately, it has become our practice to raise information noise around so-called high-profile cases. And representatives of investigative and law enforcement agencies themselves often sin with this. Dear colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to this and say that the fight against corruption is not a show, it requires professionalism, seriousness and responsibility, only then will it produce results and receive conscious, broad support from society.

Dear Colleagues! It is obvious that external restrictions and rising costs of domestic borrowing have reduced the availability of financial resources for enterprises and citizens. Nevertheless, the banking system managed to replace foreign lending to our companies and stabilize the situation - this is an obvious fact.

Now we must support business activity, the implementation of large economic projects, and affordable financing, especially since inflation is decreasing, I have already spoken about this, and this creates objective conditions for reducing the cost of bank loans. I repeat: the situation has indeed improved a little, but only in certain sectors. In general, lending to the economy is showing unstable dynamics.

As part of anti-crisis support in 2015-2016, we replenished the capital of the banking system by 827 billion rubles. According to estimates, this resource allowed banks to significantly increase lending to the real sector.

However, the volume of such loans has not increased this year, and even decreased slightly. I know about calculations in rubles, in foreign currencies, but the decrease still occurred, even taking into account the exchange rate difference. I would like to draw the attention of those experts who believe that it is very important to pay attention to the exchange rate difference.

Yes, everything is clear, the value of the ruble has changed against the dollar, against the euro, and this must be taken into account, but still, even taking this into account, a decrease in lending is still taking place.

Of course, there is no doubt that we need to stimulate lending to the real sector. But the key question remains: what methods and means to do this? It is obvious that only stable banks with a solid capital reserve can develop lending.

This year, domestic banks have restored their profitability. The profit of this sector of the economy for 10 months of last year amounted to 193 billion rubles, and for the same period of this year already 714 billion rubles. Almost four times the growth.

In addition, thanks to the consistent and decisive work of the Central Bank, the banking system is cleared of offices that violate the law, the rights of clients, and conduct dubious financial transactions. Many of them, at least weak players, left the market. The banking sector has been rehabilitated and is being continued by the Central Bank. All this is a good basis for a rapid revival of the economy and the development of lending to the real sector.

In general, a number of countries have created incentives for banks to lend specifically to this particular sector of the economy. At the same time, in some countries, restrictions on the ability of banks to invest raised funds in financial instruments are being discussed.

I’m not saying that we need to blindly copy everything that is being done abroad, especially since the Russian economy and its structure differ significantly from other countries that apply such measures, but analyze all this practice, adopt everything that suits us , it is possible and necessary.

Thus, the non-banking financial sector operates successfully in many countries. It should be developed here too - this allows us to attract funds from investors and citizens into the economy through bonds and other mechanisms.

By the way, we have been discussing this topic for quite some time. I hope that the Bank of Russia and the Government will jointly work out proposals for the development of the financial market. Everything should, of course, be aimed at the objectives of economic growth, while any changes should not lead to macroeconomic imbalances and the inflation of so-called bubbles in the economy.

It is very important to support lending to small businesses, which continues to decline. What can and should be done additionally for this? Representatives of financial authorities also believe that this is possible.

If the largest banks, due to the scale and complexity of their operations, are subject to strict requirements in accordance with international standards, and some experts believe that even for us they are too strict, but now we will not go into details.

In any case, small regional banks that perform the important function of lending to small businesses and households and, as a rule, carry out the simplest banking operations, could operate under significantly simplified requirements for regulating their activities.

Moreover, this certainly cannot create any risks for the banking system as a whole, given their modest share in the entire banking system - only 1.5 percent of all banking assets. Such differentiated regulation of the banking system will allow clients to contact the bank that best suits their needs, and small businesses will not experience competition for credit resources with large companies.

Of course, the fundamental condition remains unchanged - each level of the banking system must be healthy and stable, so that both clients and depositors can be confident in the security of their funds.

Dear Colleagues! To reach a new level of development of the economy and social sectors, we need our own advanced developments and scientific solutions. It is necessary to focus on areas where the powerful technological potential of the future is accumulating, and these are digital and other so-called end-to-end technologies that today determine the appearance of all spheres of life.

Countries that can generate them will have a long-term advantage, the opportunity to receive enormous technological rent. Those who do not do this will find themselves in a dependent, vulnerable position. Cross-cutting ones are those that are used in all industries, these are digital, quantum, robotics, neurotechnology, and so on.

It is also necessary to take into account that in digital technologies, for example, there are risks, of course. It is necessary to strengthen protection against cyber threats, and the stability of all elements of infrastructure, the financial system, and public administration must be significantly increased.

I propose to launch a large-scale systemic program for the development of the economy of a new technological generation, the so-called digital economy. In its implementation, we will rely specifically on Russian companies, scientific, research and engineering centers of the country.

This is a question of national security and technological independence of Russia, in the full sense of the word - our future. It is necessary to take an inventory and remove all administrative, legal, and any other barriers that prevent businesses from entering both existing and emerging high-tech markets.

Provide such projects with financial resources, including focusing the work of the updated VEB (Development Bank) on these tasks. We will need qualified personnel, engineers, workers ready to perform tasks at a new level. Therefore, together with business, we are building a modern system of secondary vocational education, organizing the training of college and technical school teachers on the basis of advanced international standards.

We will increase the number of budget places in engineering disciplines, IT specialties, and other key areas that determine economic development. Next year, centers of excellence will be created at leading universities, including regional ones, to provide intellectual and personnel support for projects related to the formation of new industries and markets.

Fundamental science should also serve as a powerful factor in the accumulation of scientific and technological resources necessary for economic growth and social development. Its task is twofold: to assess and predict future trends and to propose optimal solutions to meet the challenges we face.

And in the scientific field, as elsewhere, we will develop competition and support the strong, capable of producing practical results. This must be taken into account by the Russian Academy of Sciences and all scientific organizations. We will continue to build a research infrastructure that will allow us to solve large-scale scientific problems.

Within the framework of the megagrant program, more than 200 laboratories have already been created, without any exaggeration, world-class, they are headed by scientists who determine trends in global scientific development. By the way, many of them are our compatriots who previously left abroad.

I recently met with a group of such researchers. Already now, many of them spend most of their time working in Russian laboratories; they work successfully and with pleasure. And they see that today in Russia interesting scientific problems are being set, a good research base is being created and material conditions are at a decent level.

But, of course, people have the right and must understand that they have a work horizon and a planning horizon; in this regard, I propose to ensure long-term funding for effective research projects, including through the resources of the Russian Science Foundation.

At the same time, it is fundamentally important to support our talented young Russian scientists, there are many of them, so that they create their own research teams and laboratories in Russia. A special line of grants will be launched for them, designed for a period of up to seven years. For these purposes, as well as for the development of scientific infrastructure and the opening of new laboratories, in 2017 alone, an additional 3.5 billion rubles will be allocated to the already declared resources for science.

And of course, the activities of research centers should be closely integrated with the education system, the economy, and high-tech companies. We need to turn research into successful commercial products, by the way, we have always suffered from this, from development to implementation a huge amount of time passes, and in general sometimes... We do not want confrontation with anyone, we do not need it: neither us, nor our partners, nor the international community. Unlike some foreign colleagues who see Russia as an enemy, we are not and have never been looking for enemies. We need friends. But we will not allow our interests to be infringed upon or neglected. We want and will be in charge of our own destiny, to build the present and future without other people's prompts and unsolicited advice.

At the same time, we are committed to a friendly, equal dialogue, to establishing the principles of justice and mutual respect in international affairs. We are ready for a serious conversation about building a sustainable system of international relations in the 21st century. Unfortunately, in this regard, the decades since the end of the Cold War have been wasted.

We are for security and the opportunity for development not for a select few, but for all countries and peoples, for respect for international law and the diversity of the world. Against any monopoly, whether we are talking about claims to exclusivity or attempts to customize the rules of international trade, limit freedom of speech, and actually introduce censorship in the global information space. They always reproached us for allegedly introducing censorship within countries, but now they themselves are practicing in this direction.

Russia actively promotes a positive agenda in the work of international organizations and informal associations, such as the UN, G20, APEC. Together with our partners we are developing our formats: CSTO, BRICS, SCO. The priority of Russian foreign policy has been and remains the further deepening of cooperation within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union and interaction with other CIS states.

The Russian idea of forming a multi-level integration model in Eurasia - the Greater Eurasian Partnership - is also of serious interest. We have already begun substantive discussions on it at various international and regional levels. I am convinced that such a conversation is possible with the states of the European Union, in which today there is a growing demand for an independent subjective, political and economic course. We see this in the election results.

The enormous potential for Russia’s cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region was demonstrated by the Eastern Economic Forum held this year. I ask the Government to ensure the unconditional implementation of all previously adopted decisions on the development of the Russian Far East. And, let me emphasize again, Russia’s active eastern policy is not dictated by any current market considerations, not even by the cooling of relations with the United States of America or the European Union, but by long-term national interests and trends in global development.

In the current difficult conditions, one of the key factors in ensuring global and regional stability has become the Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. It serves as an example of world order relations, built not on the idea of dominance of one country, no matter how strong it may be, but on harmonious consideration of the interests of all states.

Today, China is emerging as the largest economy in the world, and it is very important that every year our mutually beneficial cooperation is replenished with new large-scale projects in various fields: trade, investment, energy, high technology.

The most important direction of Russian foreign policy is the development of a particularly privileged strategic partnership with India. The results of the Russian-Indian high-level negotiations held in October in Goa confirmed that our countries have enormous potential for deepening cooperation in a variety of areas.

We count on qualitative progress in relations with our eastern neighbor - Japan. We welcome the desire of the leadership of this country to develop economic ties with Russia and launch joint projects and programs.

We are ready to cooperate with the new American administration. It is important to normalize and begin to develop bilateral relations on an equal and mutually beneficial basis.

Interaction between Russia and the United States in solving global and regional problems meets the interests of the whole world. We have a common responsibility for ensuring international security and stability, for strengthening non-proliferation regimes.

I would like to emphasize that attempts to break strategic parity are extremely dangerous and can lead to a global catastrophe. You cannot forget about this for a single second.

And of course, I count on the United States uniting its efforts in the fight against a real and not imaginary threat - international terrorism. This is precisely the task our military personnel are solving in Syria. Terrorists have suffered significant damage, the Russian army and navy have convincingly proven that they are capable of working effectively far from permanent locations.

By the way, we see the work that employees of special services and units are doing inside the country to combat terrorism. We also have losses there. All this, of course, is in the field of our attention. We will continue this work. I would like to thank all our military personnel for their professionalism and nobility, courage and bravery, for the fact that you - soldiers of Russia - value your honor and the honor of Russia.

Dear Colleagues! When people feel they are right and act united, they confidently follow their chosen path. It has not been easy for us in recent years, but these trials have made us even stronger, truly stronger, and helped us better and more clearly identify the areas in which we need to act even more persistently and energetically.

By overcoming current difficulties, we created the basis for further movement forward and did not stop working on the development agenda, which is extremely important. That is, we did not delve into any details of the current day, we did not deal only with the problems of survival, we thought about the development agenda and ensured it. And today it is this agenda that is becoming the main one, coming to the fore.

The future of the country depends only on us, on the work and talent of all our citizens, on their responsibility and success. And we will definitely achieve the goals set before us and solve the problems of today and tomorrow.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Moscow Kremlin

The Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation is the country's highest representative institution. 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 current legal acts. The structure includes two bodies, the competence, features of creation and activities of which are regulated by Federal Laws No. 113 and 175.

Upper house of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

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

Calling elections for the head of state and removing him from office.
Approval of decrees issued by the president on the introduction of military force in the country as a whole or in its individual areas.
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 officials of the High Courts.

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

Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

It is formed of 450 deputies. This body is the lower house of the Federal Assembly. The election of deputies is carried out for 4 years. The first meeting is scheduled for the 30th day after the elections or earlier than this date. Voting for deputies is carried out in the manner prescribed by Federal Law No. 175 and other regulations governing electoral law. The following issues fall under the jurisdiction of the State Duma:

About trust in 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 a key subject of the legislative process. The State Duma accepts draft regulations and sends them to the Federation Council for approval. To resolve any disagreements that arise between them, a conciliation commission is created. An adopted normative act is considered to be 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 dissolving the State Duma may include:

Three times the candidacy for the post of Prime Minister proposed by the head of the country was rejected.
Denial of confidence in the Supreme Executive Body. In this case, the initiative must come from the chairman of the government.

The dissolution of the lower chamber is not allowed:

For a year since its creation.
From the date of bringing charges against the president until the adoption of a decision on it by the Federation Council.
During a state of emergency or martial law in the country.
For six months before expiration

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

Specifics of creating a Federation Council

As part of improving the public administration system, an administrative reform was carried out. During it, certain changes were made to the procedure for the formation of parliament. 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 heads, but representatives of the executive and legislative bodies of the subject. The heads of these structures appoint relevant officials within three months from the date of taking office. This decision is formalized in the form of a resolution (decree). If at an extraordinary or scheduled meeting a third of the total number of deputies votes 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 proposal 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 from each house is nominated for half of its term. The decision on appointment is made by secret ballot. The government body notifies the Federation Council about it no later than the next day after the resolution comes into force and sends the corresponding act to the Federation Council within five days.

Other changes

The reforms affected the rules for electing deputies to the State Duma. The fourth convocation was formed in accordance with the Federal Law adopted on December 20, 2002. Elections took place 50% in single-mandate constituencies and 50% according to lists submitted by political parties. Candidates could also run as self-nominated candidates, from an electoral bloc, or as part of an association. Only those parties that have overcome the 7% threshold can exercise the right to nominate persons. The decision to present a list of candidates is approved by secret ballot. The total number of persons nominated by the party cannot be more than 270 people.

Regulatory acts of the Federal Assembly

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. On 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 within 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 within its competence by current regulations and those directly related to its internal activities. The latter are determined by regulations, provisions and the relevant Federal Law. The Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation often considers topical issues relating to the life of the country. Resolutions often point out shortcomings of existing government agencies, and include appeals to representative structures about the need to adopt certain regulations to improve the situation. At the same time, every year the president reads a message to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. It sums up the work done and sets new tasks. In accordance with them, the agenda of FS meetings 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 regulations is carried out in the State Duma. The Federation Council also has legislative initiative. Draft regulations that are submitted for consideration undergo legal review and are endorsed by responsible persons. The Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, through the Federation Council, can make statements and appeals, including to the government and the president. They are adopted in the manner prescribed for the approval of resolutions. As a rule, wishes are of a recommendatory nature. As for the State Duma, it can also receive appeals and statements. They are formalized by resolutions. Appeals and statements are quite diverse in content. They are adopted much more often than in the Federation Council. The most pressing issues in them are problems of a socio-economic and internal political nature. At the same time, such appeals and statements, while having a certain impact on the executive structures of power, cannot contain binding norms for the government or the president. In this regard, they, like the recommendations of the Federation Council, can have exclusively moral and political significance. State Duma statements and appeals concerning the resolution of international issues have a particular 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 quite a large international resonance.

Parliamentary Center

In the mid-2000s. 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 structure justified its need for the crowdedness in the offices of parliamentarians, the great remoteness of the services necessary for them to effectively carry out 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 for placement. It was proposed to locate the parliamentary center on Kutuzovsky Prospekt, in Moscow City, on Frunzenskaya Embankment, at Tushinsky 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 were asked, together with the Office of Presidential Affairs and the Federal Security Service, to choose a project for a future structure based on an architectural competition. However, the works caused aesthetic disagreements among parliamentarians. It was not possible to resolve them even during a repeat competition. The issue of financing was particularly challenging. It was initially assumed that the costs of constructing the parliamentary center would be borne by a private investor, who would subsequently receive ownership of these structures. In the future, it was possible to build a hotel complex, entertainment facilities, etc. in its place. It is assumed that the work of the parliamentary center could begin as early as 2020. However, according to information from 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 Federal Assembly discusses, supplements, changes, and approves the most important laws on topical issues arising in various spheres of state life. The current regulations establish the procedure for adopting the Federal Law. It involves several readings of the draft in the State Duma, discussion, and the making of proposals and amendments. A prerequisite is the agreement of the document with the Federation Council. If the Federation Council identifies 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, it is again sent to the Federation Council, and from there to the president for signature. At the same time, 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.