Putin's Federal Reforms: A Legal-Institutional Perspective

Abstract

The first year of Putin's presidency proved to be the most concerted and fundamental shake-up of federal relations in Russia since the 1993 Constitution. This paper examines this transition in detail, focusing attention on the legal-institutional aspects of this dramatic shift in policy. First, the end of Yeltsin's 'parade' - of sovereignties, bilateral treaties and special agreements - is examined. Next, attention is paid to Putin's early decrees: 'positive' decrees creating the seven federal districts and federal envoys, and 'negative' decrees that annulled regional laws and legal acts judged by him not to be in conformity with federal law. Finally, the author explores Putin's legislative reforms - a three-part package of bills that altered the composition of the upper chamber of the federal parliament, the Federation Council, and the relationship of its former members to the federal president.

Keywords: Vladimir Putin – federal reforms in Russia, Russian federalism, Putin’s legislative reforms