Российский парламентаризм: опыт институционального творчества

Abstract

The article consists of four case-studies, analyzing examples of building procedures and institutions of the parliament work. The first one deals with the experience of inter-faction agreement on principles and procedures of distribution of leading positions in the Duma among party factions, providing the actual power-sharing arrangement and respect of factions’ interests. The second describes the attempts o the “young parliamentarism” to solve the relevant problem of “party discipline”. It needs to be said that Duma has proved to be able to avoid excessive regulation of the issue, ensuring at the same time reasonably high discipline. The third case describes the difficult process of building an inter-factional coalition to ensure the passage of the politically and symbolically important law on private property of agricultural land. The fourth case examines the practice of coordination between the cabinet and Duma majority factions on important government-initiated bills prior to their formal introduction to Duma (“zero reading”). For three out of the four cases, related to different Duma convocations and different years, an updated analysis of the current status of the same practice or procedure is provided. The overall conclusion is that all the cases are characterized by instrumental and creative approach of Duma members to the problems, and though the outcome was never predetermined, effective and lasting solutions.