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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) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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 the
Brooklyn 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?
Cult of Personality Use of mass media and propaganda
to create an idealized, heroic, even god-like public image.
“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.
Duma Election: 2011
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 Approve Prime Minister 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.