
The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, with the upper house being the Federation Council. Established in 1905, it is a legislative authority consisting of 450 members elected for five-year terms. The Duma's primary role is to adopt federal constitutional and federal laws, exert control over the Russian government, and appoint and dismiss key officials. All bills are first approved by the State Duma and are then debated and either approved or rejected by the Federation Council.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Established | 1905 |
| Term length | 2 years (1993-1995); 4 years (1999-2007); 5 years (since 2011) |
| Number of members | 450 |
| Eligibility | Citizens of the Russian Federation aged 21 or older with the right to participate in elections |
| Election process | Universal suffrage; mixed system of parallel voting (except in 2007 and 2011); party-list proportional representation with a 5% threshold |
| Powers | Adoption of federal constitutional and federal laws; Control over the Russian Government; Appointment and dismissal of heads of key institutions; Declaration of amnesty; International parliamentarian cooperation |
| Limitations | Cannot hold office in other representative bodies of state power or local self-government |
| Notable achievements | Approved laws on national symbols, including the national flag and anthem |
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What You'll Learn
- The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia
- It passes federal laws and constitutional laws, which have the highest legal force
- Duma members are elected for five-year terms and are referred to as deputies
- The Duma's main tasks include appointing and dismissing central bank and government officials
- The Duma's history dates back to the Russian Revolution of 1905, when it was established as Russia's first elected parliament

The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia
The State Duma is a legislative authority, and its primary function is to adopt federal constitutional and federal laws. It also controls the activity of the Russian Government, appoints and dismisses heads of key institutions like the Central Bank, and declares amnesty. The Duma's legislative process involves three stages of revision, with bills requiring approval from a majority of the total number of deputies.
Historically, the term 'Duma' dates back to the boyar dumas of Kievan Rus' and Muscovite Russia, as well as Tsarist Russia. The State Duma of the Russian Empire was founded in 1905 following the 1905 Revolution, making it Russia's first elected parliament. Tsar Nicholas II's October Manifesto promised that the Duma would be a representative assembly, and that its approval would be necessary for enacting legislation. However, the subsequent Fundamental Laws limited the Duma's powers, and the first two Dumas were dissolved prematurely. Overall, four Dumas gathered until 1917, and they played a role in approving laws on education, labour protection, and social protection for the poor.
In modern Russia, the State Duma consists of 450 members who are elected for five-year terms. The deputies must be citizens of the Russian Federation, aged 21 or older, and they cannot hold office in any other representative body or local self-government. The State Duma is the chief legislative chamber, and it works alongside the upper house, the Federation Council, to pass legislation.
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It passes federal laws and constitutional laws, which have the highest legal force
The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, with the upper house being the Federation Council. It is a legislative authority that consists of 450 members elected for five years. The State Duma is one of the two chambers of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
The State Duma's main tasks include the adoption of federal constitutional and federal laws, control over the activity of the Russian Government, and the appointment and dismissal of heads of the Central Bank, Accounts Chamber, and High Commissioner on Human Rights. Federal constitutional laws and federal laws adopted by the State Duma have the highest legal force in the Russian Federation and directly impact public relations.
The history of the State Duma dates back to the Russian Empire in 1905, when it was established as a result of the 1905 revolution. Tsar Nicholas II's October Manifesto promised that the Duma would be a representative assembly necessary for enacting legislation. However, the Fundamental Laws issued before the First Duma met limited its legislative powers. Over the years, the Duma has been dominated by liberal and socialist opposition groups demanding reforms, and it has been dissolved and re-established several times.
The modern State Duma has the power to pass federal laws and constitutional laws, which are the main source of law in the Russian Federation. The legislative process includes three stages of revision by the Duma, with commissions created to work on drafts. Bills are first approved by the State Duma and then debated and approved or rejected by the Federation Council. The State Duma also has the right to approve high-ranking government officials, such as the prime minister, and plays a role in international parliamentary cooperation.
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Duma members are elected for five-year terms and are referred to as deputies
The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, with the upper house being the Federation Council. It is one of the two chambers of the Russian parliament, the Federal Assembly. The State Duma is a legislative authority that consists of 450 members, also known as deputies, who are elected for five-year terms.
The history of the State Duma dates back to the boyar dumas of Kievan Rus' and Muscovite Russia, as well as Tsarist Russia. The State Duma of the Russian Empire was founded in 1905 after the violence and upheaval in the Russian Revolution of 1905. It was Russia's first elected parliament. On 6 August 1905, Emperor Nicholas II issued a Manifesto on the Establishment and Organisational Rules of the State Duma, one of the parliament chambers. The Duma was to exercise only quasi-legislative functions. However, on 17 October 1905, the Emperor signed a new Manifesto establishing that no law could enter into force without the approval of the State Duma. Thus, the Duma transformed from an advisory body to a legislative organ.
Overall, four Dumas gathered until 1917, consisting of landowners, representatives of the industrial middle class, merchants, city intellectuals, and peasants. The number of elected delegates to the Duma varied from 478 to 525 across different years. The first two Dumas were elected indirectly (except in five large cities) by a system that gave undue representation to the peasantry, which the government expected to be conservative. The third and fourth Dumas were conservative, with the third Duma generally supporting the government's agrarian reforms and military reorganization.
In modern Russia, the State Duma is a legislative authority responsible for adopting federal constitutional and federal laws, controlling the activity of the Russian Government, appointing and dismissing heads of key institutions, declaring amnesty, and managing issues of international parliamentary cooperation. The Duma's members, or deputies, are elected for five-year terms, and any citizen of the Russian Federation aged 21 or older who has the right to participate in elections may be elected as a deputy.
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The Duma's main tasks include appointing and dismissing central bank and government officials
The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, with the upper house being the Federation Council. It was established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation in 1993, replacing the Supreme Soviet. The State Duma is a legislative authority, and its main tasks include the adoption of federal constitutional and federal laws, which have the highest legal force in the country.
The State Duma's key role in lawmaking is evident in its history. Established in 1905 after the Russian Revolution, the State Duma was Russia's first elected parliament. Initially, it served a quasi-legislative function, but its role was transformed by a Manifesto issued by Emperor Nicholas II in October 1905, which stipulated that no law could come into force without the State Duma's approval. This marked a shift from an advisory body to a legislative organ.
The State Duma's legislative power continued to evolve, and in 1993, it replaced the old Soviet-era constitution with a new one, becoming the chief legislative chamber. The State Duma passes legislation by majority vote, and its laws regulate important public relations and have a direct effect. The State Duma's laws are developed through a multi-stage process involving commissions and revisions, ensuring a thorough legislative procedure.
Among its various responsibilities, the State Duma holds the power to appoint and dismiss heads of key institutions, including the Central Bank, the Accounts Chamber, and the High Commissioner on Human Rights. This authority extends to approving the prime minister and other high government officials nominated by the president. The State Duma also plays a role in international cooperation, working alongside other parliamentarians to address global issues.
The State Duma's composition is significant, with 450 members elected for five-year terms. These members, referred to as deputies, are exclusively dedicated to their roles and are prohibited from holding office in other representative bodies or engaging in civil service. The State Duma's headquarters are located in central Moscow, and its impact on Russian legislation and governance is profound, shaping the country's legal framework and public relations.
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The Duma's history dates back to the Russian Revolution of 1905, when it was established as Russia's first elected parliament
The history of the State Duma dates back to the Russian Revolution of 1905, when it was established as Russia's first elected parliament. On August 6, 1905, Emperor Nicholas II issued a manifesto establishing the State Duma as one of the two chambers of the Russian parliament, the other being the State Council of the Russian Empire. The Duma was intended to have only quasi-legislative functions, but on October 17, 1905, the Emperor signed a new Manifesto declaring that no law could enter into force without the approval of the State Duma, effectively transforming it into a legislative organ.
The first Duma was established with around 500 deputies, and its members included liberal and socialist opposition groups that demanded extensive reforms. The Duma's powers were limited, as the Emperor retained the right to rule by decree, appoint and dismiss ministers, and pass laws independently. Despite these restrictions, the Duma played a significant role in approving laws related to education and labour protection, as well as developing measures for the social protection of the poor and other segments of the population.
The elections to the First Duma were conducted according to a law passed in December 1905, which established six curia: landowners, city habitats, peasants, workers, Cossacks, and non-Slavic people. However, the voting process was not universal, equal, or direct, as women, young people under 25, military personnel, and certain nationalities were excluded from the electoral process. Additionally, the voting weightage varied across the curia, with one elector representing 2,000 people in the landowners' curia and 90,000 people in the workers' curia.
The Dumas that followed were often dominated by conservative groups, such as gentry, landowners, and businessmen. The Third and Fourth Dumas were both conservative and generally supported the government's policies. However, as World War I progressed, the Fourth Duma became increasingly dissatisfied with the government's incompetence, particularly in supplying the army. By the spring of 1915, the Duma had become a focal point of opposition to the imperial regime.
In modern times, the State Duma, along with the Federation Council, remains one of the two chambers of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. It consists of 450 members elected for five-year terms and holds legislative authority, including the adoption of federal constitutional and federal laws, control over the Russian Government's activities, and the appointment and dismissal of key officials.
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Frequently asked questions
The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, with the upper house being the Federation Council. It was established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation in 1993.
Any citizen of the Russian Federation aged 21 or older who has the right to participate in elections may be elected as a deputy to the State Duma.
The State Duma members are elected for five years.
The Duma's main tasks are the adoption of federal constitutional and federal laws, control over the activity of the Russian Government, and the appointment and dismissal of heads of the Central Bank, Accounts Chamber, and High Commissioner on Human Rights.
Bills of the State Duma are adopted by a majority of the total number of deputies of the State Duma, unless another procedure is envisaged by the Constitution. All bills are first approved by the State Duma and are further debated and approved (or rejected) by the Federation Council.

















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