Russia is a federal state, which consists of equal subjects of the Russian Federation. The status of the Russian Federation is determined by the Constitution of 1993. The subject of the Russian Federation is a top-level territorial unit of Russia. There are 85 subjects in the federation.
Characteristics of the subjects of the Russian Federation
Each constituent entity of the federation, in addition to the federal government, has its own executive power in the person of the head (president) or governor, as well as legislative (regional parliaments) and judicial (constitutional court of the constituent entity). The constituent entities of the Russian Federation are guided not only by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, but also by their own constitution or charter, and also have legislation that is adopted by the regional parliament.
The activities of the federal authorities and the authorities of the subjects of the federation are based on the division of powers between them. The constituent entities of the Russian Federation have full state power on all issues not related to the joint jurisdiction of the federation and federal subjects. The general powers of the Russian Federation and its constituent entities are: observance of federal legislation and laws of constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as their compliance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and their own constitution (charter) of constituent entities; ensuring the protection of human and civil rights and freedoms, as well as national minorities; observance of the rule of law, law and order and public safety and the like.
Features of the subjects of the Russian Federation
Russia includes 22 republics, 9 krais, 46 oblasts, 3 federal cities, 1 autonomous oblast and 4 autonomous okrugs. They are grouped into 3 groups depending on their legal status.
Republics have the status of a state, which is determined by the Constitution of the Russian Federation and their own constitution. The republics have supreme authorities that have certain powers, for example, to establish state languages. As a rule, the republics and the Federation have concluded bilateral treaties, which makes a significant difference from other federal subjects.
Autonomous formations, which include autonomous regions and an autonomous region, are national-territorial formations. Autonomous okrugs have a peculiarity - they are included not only in the Russian Federation, but also in the territory or region. Moreover, they have the right to develop a draft federal law on their legal status. Autonomous entities are named after the nationalities or ethnic groups for which this territory is the historical homeland.
Territories, oblasts and cities of federal significance are administrative-territorial entities that are not formed according to the national principle. The status of these subjects is determined by the Constitution of the Russian Federation and their own charter.
