President and Parliament in Russia: a decade of tense relations

The breaking-up of the Soviet state meant the birth of Russia as an independent state. This transformation was, however, not reflected in the new institutional design until the passage of the new constitution in 1993. The instability generated in Russia’sinstitutional relations—specifically between the legislative and executive branches of government—has indeed lasted through the decade of Russia’s independence as a state. During this period, the Federation President has taken on a dominant role in the politicalleadership of the state while the Parliament has been relegated to a secondary role in Russia’s power structure. This situation has resulted in conflict between these institutions that has been marked by various situations and periods. After this brief review of theconstitutional rules governing relations between the executive and legislative branches, the article focuses on an analysis of the periods this stormy relationship has gone through and then concludes with the important issue of the democratic nature or lack thereof ofRussians.