Text b The Parliament of the Russian Federation

The Federal Assembly – the Parliament of the Russian Federation is the representative and legislative body of the Russian Federation. It consists of two chambers: the Federation Council and the State Duma. The Federation Council includes two representatives from each constituent entity of the Russian Federation and the State Duma consists of 450 deputies. The Federal Assembly is a permanently functioning body. The Federation Council and the State Duma sit separately. Their sessions are open, but they have the right to pass the decision to conduct closed sessions. Each chamber forms committees and commissions to hold appropriate hearings. Both chambers set up the Accounts Chamber to monitor implementation of the federal budget.

Federal laws adopted by the State Duma must be examined by the Federation Council.

Federation Council also considers a set of other issues. In particular, it approves decisions on changes of borders between constituent entities Without the Federation Council approval, military forces cannot be used outside the country. The Federation Council has the right of final decision on the impeachment of the President and the announcement of new elections of the President.

The following is within the jurisdiction of the State Duma:

- consent to the appointment of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation by the President of the Russian Federation;

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- appointment and dismissal of the Chairman of the Central Bank, Commissioner for Human Rights;

- announcement of amnesty;

- bringing charges against the President of the Russian Federation for his impeachment.

The Executive power is exercised by the government which consists of the Chairman of the Government (the Prime Minister), deputy chairmen and the federal ministers. The Chairman's candidate is appointed by the President with the consent of the State Duma.

The government presents a draft budget to be discussed by the State Duma and it provides its implementation and realization of financial, credit and monetary policies. It carries out measures to ensure the legality, rights and freedoms of the citizens, to protect property, public order and combat crimes. It ensures state security and the realization of foreign policy. The government ensures the implementation of a uniform state policy in the sphere of culture, science, education, social security, health and ecology.

Vocabulary

Accounts Chamber Счетная палата

charge n обвинение

closed session закрытое заседание

combat crimes бороться с преступностью

Commissioner for Human Rights уполномоченный по правам человека

deputy chairman помощник председателя

dismissal n увольнение, освобождение от работы

draft budget проект бюджета

implementation n осуществление, выполнение

monitor v контролировать, проверять

social security общественная безопасность

state border государственная граница

state of emergency чрезвычайноеположение (в стране)

treaty n договор

Reading tasks

A Answer these questions.

1 What kind of a functioning body is the Federal Assembly?

2 What chamber is responsible for the consideration of financial problems?

3 In what connection does the word "impeachment" appear in the text?

4 What does the text say about the insurance of state security?

Whose duty is it?

D Decide which of statements a), b) or c) in the exercise below corresponds exactly to the meaning of the text and best completes each statement.

1 The Russian Parliament consists of…

a) one branch only

b) two chambers

c) several committees.

2 The Federation Council and the State Duma sit…

a) separately

b) together

c) with other governmental subcommittees.

3 Military forces cannot be used outside the country without the approval of…

a) the State Duma

b) the Federation Council

c) the President.

4 Charges against the President can be used by…

a) the government

b) deputy chairmen

c) the State Duma.

5 The Chairman’s candidate is appointed by…

a) the deputy Chairman

b) the Federation Council

c) the President.

B Put the words in brackets into the appropriate form, using the passive where necessary.

Federal laws adopted by the State Duma 1) ______ (submit) within five days for examination by the Federation Council. A federal law 2) ______ (consider) to have been approved by the Federal Council if over a half of the total number of members of that chamber 3) ______ (vote) for it or if the Federation Council 4) ______ not ______ (examine) it within fourteen days. In the event that the Federation Council 5) ______ (reject) a federal law, the chambers may set up a conciliatory commission to settle differences, after which the federal law 6) ______ (reconsider) by the State Duma.

In the event that the State Duma 7) ______ (disagree) with the decision of the Federation Council a federal law 8) ______ (consider) to have been adopted if in the second vote not less than two thirds of the total number of deputies of the State Duma 9) ______ (vote) in favour of it. If the President of the Russian Federation 10) ______ (reject) a federal law within fourteen days of receiving it, the State Duma and the Federation Council 11) ______ (reconsider) that law in accordance with the procedure established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation. If upon reconsideration the law 12) ______ (approve) in the previously adopted wording by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total number of members of the Federation Council and of deputies of the State Duma, it must 13) ______ (sign) by the President within seven days and promulgated.

Over to you.

1. Speak on the differences between the responsibilities of the two houses of Russia’s Parliament.

2. Suggest any improvement to the state body structure which could lead to better execution of its laws.

3. Discuss the position and power of the President of the Russian Federation.