TRANSFORMATION OF THE AUTHORITIES IN 1991–1994: FROM THE PUTSCH TO THE NEW CONSTITUTION (based on the materials of the Nizhny Novgorod region)

Abstract

The relevance of the article is that it highlights the previously unexplored process of the formation of new authorities in modern Russia in the period before the adoption of the new constitution of the country. The well-established opinion that the construction of a new system of public administration began on the basis of a new Constitution has not been substantiated by historical research. This article is intended to fill this gap.
 
 The material was prepared on the basis of the study of scientific literature and archival materials. The research is based on the documents of the archival funds of the Central Archive of the Nizhny Novgorod region. At the same time, a concrete historical method, methods of comparative analysis, using external and internal criticism of documents are used.
 
 The article reveals the transformation of the authorities in the Nizhny Novgorod region in 1991-1994. After the failure of the August putsch and the Decree of Boris Yeltsin “On some issues of the activities of executive authorities in the RSFSR” dated August 22, 1991, the activities of the CPSU were suspended and the dismantling of the communist leadership began – including in the Nizhny Novgorod region. On August 25, E.V. Krestyaninov was elected to the post of chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Council of People’s Deputies. On August 27, Boris Nemtsov was appointed the representative of the President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin in the region. On November 30, 1991 it was approved by the head of the administration of the Nizhny Novgorod region.
 
 The Regional Council of People’s Deputies conducted preparatory organizational work on the formation of a full-fledged regional parliament – the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The main part of this work was carried out in the Small Council formed after the events of 1991.
 
 The events of October 1993 led to the radical restructuring of the system of public administration and local self-government. On October 21, 1993, the Regional Council approved the “Basic Principles” of the Regulations on the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region”. Early elections of deputies were held on March 27, 1994 and on their outcome, the council of the first convocation of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region was formed. This is how the long-term work of the Regional Council of People’s Deputies ended and the history of the new regional parliament – the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod region – opened.
 
 The article substantiates the opinion that the formation of new state authorities began on the basis of presidential decrees, even before the adoption of the Constitution of 1993. It has important practical and theoretical significance for understanding the political history of modern Russia.