Should party in parliament be weak or strong? The rules debate in the Russian state Duma

Abstract

In the very first days of its existence, the Russian Duma made crucial decisions determining that, unlike its predecessor, it would be a legislature based on parliamentary factions. Analysis of the Rules debate in the Duma reveals the goals behind this decision. Specifically, the ‘patriotic’ forces in the Duma needed parliamentary parties to facilitate their struggle against President Yeltsin. In turn, the ‘democrats’ needed parliamentary parties to oppose the ‘patriotic forces’ within the parliament. Thus, democratic and patriotic groups alike found common interests as factions, and these cut across traditional left‐right politics. In turn, by choosing rules that favour parliamentary parties, the deputies created incentives for temporary electoral associations to seek more permanent co‐operation.