Russian federalism (с)

The federal act "On principles and order of distinction of control matters and authorities between governing institutions of the Russian Federation and governing institutions of the subjects of the Russian Federation" came into force on July 23,1999. This act has got across the forms of implementation of such authorities as well as across adoption order* for the federal acts regulating matters under the joint supervision* of the center and the subjects of the Russian Federation. The order of conclusion* of the treaties and agreements between them was also established. This document grants the right to* the subjects of the Federation, when federal acts are being prepared, to influence the concept of such an act on the very first stage — by sending regional, representatives (with the right of advisory vote*) to the applicable* committees and commissions of the Lower House of the Parliament - the State Duma. The controversies* on the control matters'distinction and the delegation of authorities* will be now resolved by the parties concerned* during negotiations with using diverse conciliation procedures*. Prior to* this act, the President could have signed a treaty with a governor or a chief of republic, and the agreement was sometimes not even published in the newspapers, now all the treaties may be signed only after having passed them through the regional Legislative Assembly and through the Upper House of the Federal Parliament — the Federation Council.

The law also requires that all the branches of the state power key* their legal acts according to the above Act within the period of six months. The treaties and agreements operating presently at the territory of the Russian Federation are also to be keyed according to the federal Act and the Constitution of the Russian Federation within a period of three years. The subjects of the Russian Federation should do the same with their acts within a period of one year.

The federative structure of the Russian Federation is asymmetrical, i.e. its subjects are not uniform, thus having their particular problems. The solutions are also sometimes unique. However, the ways in which the solutions are made should be legally clear. The above mentioned Act has to determine this order, in exact conformity with* provisions of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Notes

adoption order - порядок принятия

joint supervision - совместный надзор

order of conclusion —порядок заключения

grant the right - предоставлять право

right of advisory vote — право совещательного голоса

applicable — зд. соответствующий

controversy — разногласие

delegation of authorities - передача власти

parties concerned — заинтересованные стороны

conciliation procedures - согласительные процедуры

prior to - до этого