Political Parties and Elections “Floating” Party System

• Political Parties come and go. (43 on ballot in 1995)

• Voters do not develop party loyalty• Little enduring “party identification.”

3 Consistent Parties since 2000• United Russia• Communist Party of the Russian Federation

(CPRF)• Liberal Democrats

United Russia Party of Power

• Promotes interest of current leadership• Not defined by ideological position on

issues. Putin’s Party Merger of “Unity”

& “Fatherland-All Russia”

Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) Peaked in 1990s as anti-reform (anti-

Yeltsin) More central planning Less economic reform

Liberal Democrats Vladimir Zhirinovsky Extreme Nationalism Anti-Semitic Sexist

Russian Billionaire Announces Plan for Political Party

Mikhail Prokhorov Oligarch Owner of New

Jersey Nets Leader of new

party “Right Cause”

Questions1. According to the

author, why was this party created?

2. What usually happens to oligarchs who get involved in politics?

3. Why do you think Prokhorov would agree to lead the party?

“End of the Bromance?”

ParliamentLower House: The Duma 450 Seats Representatives

chosen by popular vote.

5-year terms (starting 2011)

Before 2005:• Mixed Member

Proportional Voting

After 2005:• Proportional Voting

Before 2005: Mixed Member Proportional System 225 FPTP Single-

Member Districts (SMD)

225 Nationwide Proportional • Party List• 5% Threshold

Minor Parties

Benefitted from SMD

In 2003: 100 SMD went to Independent or Minor Parties• Strong regional

support

After 2005: Proportional System No more SMDs Single Nationwide Constituency

Proportional Vote Changed Threshold to 7% **Impact on Minor Parties**

• Virtually ended their chances of gaining seats.

2009 Threshold Change!• If party wins b/n 5%-6%, they get ONE seat.• If party wins b/n 6%-7%, they get TWO seats.

CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS OF THE DUMA

Limited in comparison to President

President can rule by decree Most legislation originates with

President or Prime Minister No realistic chance of

impeaching/removing President, or removing Prime Minister with a vote of no confidence.

CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS OF THE DUMA Approves presidential appointments Can override veto (2/3) Approves the budget Signs bills into law

Upper House:Federation Council 178 Members 2 from each of the 89 sub-units Appointed by local governor and local

legislature Role: represent the regions

*Less power than Duma• Can only delay legislation

Federal Court System Communist era had no independent

judiciary 1993 Constitution created a:

• Constitutional Court Appointed by President Power of Judicial Review (in theory) Careful not to cross Putin

• Supreme Court Final court for civil and criminal cases

Bureaucracy Inherited a large bureaucracy from

USSR Overseen by a Cabinet

POWER MINISTRIES• Key advisers; shape public policy• Defense, Foreign Affairs, Interior & State

Security Bureau (FSB)– previously the KGB.