The Constitutional Court of Russia is the highest judicial body in Russia responsible for the interpretation of the Constitution of Russia and the verification of the conformity of laws and normative legal acts with the Constitution. Here's a detailed look at its history, functions, and significance:
History
- Establishment: The Constitutional Court of Russia was established by the Constitution of Russia, which was adopted on December 12, 1993. This marked a significant step in the development of a democratic legal system in post-Soviet Russia.
- First Session: The first session of the court was held on February 1, 1995.
- Relocation: Initially located in Moscow, the court was moved to Saint Petersburg in 2008 as part of a political and administrative reform.
Functions and Powers
- Constitutional Review: The court ensures that laws, decrees, and other legal acts comply with the Constitution.
- Settling Disputes: It resolves disputes between federal and regional authorities, as well as between state institutions regarding their constitutional rights and responsibilities.
- Judicial Review: The court can declare laws or other legal acts unconstitutional, thereby voiding them.
- Human Rights Protection: It can examine complaints from citizens about violations of their constitutional rights.
Composition
- Judges: The court consists of 19 judges, who are appointed by the Federal Assembly of Russia (both houses - the Federation Council and the State Duma) upon the President's proposal.
- Term: Judges serve for life, but their tenure can be terminated under specific conditions like reaching the age of 70, resignation, or conviction of a serious crime.
Significant Cases
- Chechnya Case: In 1995, the court ruled against the legality of President Boris Yeltsin's decree on the use of force in Chechnya, which was a landmark decision asserting its power to check presidential authority.
- 2014 Constitutional Amendment: The court played a crucial role in the process of amending the Constitution in 2014, which allowed Vladimir Putin to run for office again.
Controversies
- The court has occasionally been criticized for its perceived lack of independence, particularly in politically sensitive cases where the decisions have favored the government.
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