# The Constitution of the Russian Federation

## Chapter 1: The Federal Assembly

**ART 1. FEDERAL ASSEMBLY DEFINED**

S.1 The Federal Assembly is the bicameral legislature of the Russian Federation, consisting of the State Duma and the Federation Council.

**ART 2. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP**

S.1 No person who has not reached the age of one hundred and twenty days on the platform and is not a resident of the Russian Federation for at least forty-five days preceding their entry into office, or is convicted by the Courts of the Russian Federation of a high crime, shall be a Member of the State Duma or the Federation Council.

S.2 Article 2 Section 1 shall not apply until the Russian Federation is forty-five days of age, and the Central Election Commission shall be responsible for creating its own electoral guidelines until then.

S.3 It shall be prohibited for the President of the Federation, a Minister, a judge, the Prosecutor General, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee, or any high-ranking military or intelligence officer to become a Member of the Federal Assembly. However, they may run for office and resign upon election.

**ART 3. THE FEDERATION COUNCIL**

S.1 The Federation Council is the upper chamber of the Federal Assembly, representing the federal subjects of the Russian Federation.

S.2 Each federal subject shall appoint two representatives to the Federation Council, one selected by the executive branch of the subject and one by its legislative branch.

S.3 Members of the Federation Council shall serve a term of 120 days.

S.4 The Federation Council shall have the authority to approve or reject legislation passed by the State Duma, confirm judicial appointments, approve declarations of war, and oversee federal policies affecting regional governance.

S.5 The Federation Council shall elect its Chairman from among its members, who shall preside over its sessions and represent it in interactions with other branches of government.

S.6 The Federation Council may propose legislation but must submit it to the State Duma for approval.

**ART 4. ELECTION OF A MEMBER TO THE STATE DUMA**

S.1 No party or independent candidate shall enter the State Duma unless they achieve at least five percent of the total popular vote.
(a) For independent candidates, the threshold shall be at least 7% of the vote to secure a single seat in the State Duma.

S.2 The number of votes required for a seat shall be determined by dividing the total vote by the number of available seats in the State Duma.

S.3 After distributing seats proportionally among parties passing the threshold, any remaining seats shall be allocated one by one to the parties with the largest unused vote remainders.

S.4 If two or more parties have the same remainder, the seat shall be awarded to the party with the highest total number of votes. If there is still a tie, the Central Election Commission shall determine the recipient by a random, transparent process.

**ART 5. NUMBER OF SEATS**

S.1 Until otherwise determined by the Central Election Commission, there shall be seventeen seats at a maximum in the State Duma.
(a) The Central Election Commission may not reduce the number of seats to less than seventeen.

**ART 6. POLITICAL PARTIES**

S.1 Prior to elections, parties must publish accurate lists of their candidates in order of priority for seats in the State Duma, including waitlisted candidates, and submit these lists to the Central Election Commission.

S.2 The Central Election Commission shall publish these lists no later than ten days prior to the election.

S.3 Foreign individuals, organizations, and governments are prohibited from financing, influencing, or interfering in the political activities of the Russian Federation. Any political entity found to be in violation of this provision shall be subject to dissolution and legal penalties.

**ART 7. VACANCIES**

S.1 Whenever a vacancy occurs in the State Duma due to removal, resignation, or otherwise, the party that won the seat in the National Elections shall choose the successor.

**ART 8. SECESSION FROM A PARTY**

S.1 It shall be prohibited for a Member of the State Duma to leave their party without approval from the party leadership.

S.2 If a party approves the secession of a Member, it renounces control of the seat, and a by-election may be held to fill the vacancy.

**ART 9. TERMS & NATIONAL ELECTIONS**

S.1 The term of the State Duma shall last no longer than 120 days.

S.2 National Elections shall be held no later than on the 115th day of the Duma's term and shall close within 48 hours. Results shall be certified by the Central Election Commission no later than the 118th day.

**ART 10. PRIME MINISTER & CABINET**

S.1 The President of the Federation shall nominate a Prime Minister from among the Members of the State Duma within three days of the new session.

S.2 The State Duma must confirm the Prime Minister by simple majority vote.
(a) If the nominee fails to secure a majority, the President must submit a new nominee within 24 hours.

S.3 The Prime Minister shall appoint Ministers to form the Cabinet.

S.4 If the State Duma fails to confirm a Prime Minister after three consecutive nominations, the President of the Russian Federation may dissolve the State Duma and call for new elections.

**ART 11. SPEAKER OF THE STATE DUMA**

S.1 The Speaker shall be elected from among the Members of the State Duma.

S.2 The Speaker shall not simultaneously serve as Prime Minister or hold a Cabinet position.

S.3 A simple majority vote is required to elect the Speaker.

**ART 12. POWERS OF THE FEDERAL ASSEMBLY**

S.1 The State Duma shall have the authority to enact federal laws with simple majority vote. (1/2)

S.2 The Federation Council shall review and approve or reject laws passed by the State Duma and may propose legislation subject to approval by the State Duma.

S.3 The Federal Assembly shall oversee the Executive Branch and may remove officials through impeachment.

S.4 The Federal Assembly may approve declarations of war by a two-thirds majority vote.

S.5 The State Duma shall confirm the national budget.

S.6 The Russian Federation shall remain a secular state, and no religion shall be declared the official state religion. A law shall not be binding establishing a state religion or mandating religious adherence.

S.7 The Federal Assembly shall make no law establishing state-imposed censorship. Citizens shall have the right to freely express their opinions, except where restricted by law to protect national security, public order, or the rights of others.

**ART 13. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS**

S.1 The Constitution may only be amended or repealed with a two-thirds majority in the Federal Assembly and the approval of a public referendum.

## Chapter 2: The President of the Russian Federation

**ART 1. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT**

S.1 The President of the Russian Federation is the Head of State, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the highest executive authority.

S.2 The President shall serve a term of 75 days and may be elected for no more than two consecutive terms.

S.3 The President is elected by popular vote and must win by an absolute majority. If no candidate secures a majority in the first round, a runoff election shall be held between the top two candidates.

**ART 2. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT**

S.1 The President shall:
(a) Appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister, Ministers, and other key government officials.
(b) Issue executive decrees and orders, which have the force of law but must not contradict the Constitution or federal laws.
(c) Oversee the execution of federal laws and ensure compliance with the Constitution.
(d) Represent the Russian Federation in international relations and negotiate treaties, subject to ratification by the Federal Assembly.
(e) Act as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and direct national defense policy.
(f) Declare states of emergency or martial law, subject to approval by the Federation Council.
(g) Dissolve the State Duma if it fails to confirm a Prime Minister after three consecutive nominations and call for new elections.
(h) Pardon individuals and commute sentences.
(i) Deliver an annual address to the Federal Assembly on the state of the nation and government policy.

S.2 The Russian Federation is an indivisible state, and no federal subject may unilaterally secede. Any attempt to violate the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation shall be considered unconstitutional and the President shall be obligated by law to respond accordingly.

**ART 3. PRESIDENTIAL DECREES**

S.1 The President may issue decrees that have the force of law, provided they do not contradict the Constitution or existing federal laws.

S.2 Presidential decrees are binding on all state institutions, officials, and citizens unless overturned by the Supreme Court or amended by the Federal Assembly.

S.3 The President may establish and reorganize executive agencies and advisory councils to improve governance.

**ART 4. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE**

S.1 The President may be removed from office through impeachment for high crimes or gross violations of the Constitution.

S.2 Impeachment requires:
(a) A formal accusation initiated by the State Duma.
(b) An investigation and confirmation by the Federation Council.
(c) A two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of the Federal Assembly to convict and remove the President.

S.3 If the President is removed, resigns, or becomes incapacitated, the Prime Minister shall assume the role of Acting President until new elections are held within 30 days.

## Chapter 3: The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation

**ART 1. ROLE AND AUTHORITY**

S.1 The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation is the highest judicial authority, ensuring the uniform application and interpretation of federal law.

S.2 The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over constitutional matters, federal disputes, and appeals from lower courts.

S.3 The Supreme Court shall have the power to review laws, presidential decrees, and government actions for compliance with the Constitution and may invalidate those that contradict it.

S.4 The decisions of the Supreme Court shall be final and binding on all authorities and citizens.

**ART 2. COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT**

S.1 The Supreme Court shall consist of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices.

S.2 Justices shall be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Federation Council with a simple majority vote.

S.3 Justices shall serve for life or until resignation, removal, or incapacity.

S.4 A Judicial Selection Committee composed of legal experts, representatives from the Federal Assembly, and members of the legal profession shall oversee the nomination process and ensure judicial independence.

**ART 3. POWERS AND JURISDICTION**

S.1 The Supreme Court shall have the power to:
(a) Interpret the Constitution and adjudicate constitutional disputes.
(b) Review laws, executive orders, and government regulations for compliance with the Constitution.
(c) Resolve conflicts between federal and regional authorities.
(d) Serve as the final appellate court for civil, criminal, and administrative cases.
(e) Rule on cases involving election disputes, impeachment proceedings, and executive actions.

**ART 4. JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE**

S.1 The judiciary shall be independent and free from political influence.

S.2 Judges shall not be removed except by impeachment or a finding of gross misconduct by a special judicial disciplinary panel.

S.3 The Supreme Court’s budget shall be determined in a manner that ensures its independence and operational integrity.

**ART 5. REMOVAL AND DISCIPLINE**

S.1 Justices may only be removed by:
(a) A two-thirds majority vote in the Federation Council following an impeachment process initiated by the State Duma.
(b) A ruling by the Judicial Disciplinary Committee for gross misconduct or incapacity.

S.2 Justices shall adhere to a strict code of judicial ethics and impartiality.

**ART 6. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY**

S.1 All Supreme Court proceedings shall be public unless classified for reasons of national security or individual privacy.

S.2 The Supreme Court shall publish its rulings and opinions, ensuring transparency and legal consistency.

S.3 An annual report on the Supreme Court’s caseload, decisions, and operations shall be submitted to the Federal Assembly.