Suchergebnisse

Russia, Poland : Between Decentralisation and Federalism

Prior to 1991, central and local bodies in Russia, like those in Poland, were subject to the authority of the Party. Since 1991, Poland has opted for regionalisation, creating sixteen voïodies, which are autonomous constituencies operating at the level of the region and are autonomous with regard to govemment action. At the head of each of these is a voïvode, a political figure dependent upon the govemment. Russia, on the other hand, has chosen a federalist path, creating eighty-nine subjects of the Federation, directed by elected govemors (Presidents for the Republics and heads of administration for the krais and oblasts). On 13 May 2000, however, in order to ensure the unity of the State, Vladimir Poutine created seven federal districts above the eighty-nine subjects of the Federation in which he has nominated representatives with a full range of powers.

The Gradual Reform of Russian Administration.
Since december 12th 1993, Russia has a new Constitution, making of the Russian Federation 'a democratic State applying the rule of Law, with a republican form of government'. The Constitution maintains a dual federal executive branch, which consists of the President — elected by universal suffrage — and a Government both responsible to the President and to the State Duma — the House of federal Parliament representing the nation as a whole. The President has undertaken a gradual administrative reform which deals with central government departments, the representative organs of local government, and the civil service.

The rôle of the Head of State during a period of transition.
There are two main paths taken by a country in transition : the democratic path, i.e. free elections and a multi-party system, and that of the market economy, in other words an economic system based on exchanges between the participants, and no longer on administrative décisions. In all those countries of Central and Eastern Europe which are in a state of transition, regulation of the newly introduced political system is entrusted to a head of state, elected by a parliament or by a popular vote, whose powers vary in their scope, depending on the country in question. What are the essential functions of a head of state in a period of democratic transition ? What should be his powers, and how should his responsibilities be brought into play ? These are the questions which the author sets out to answer, alternately studying situations which are normal, and those which are exceptional. He bases himself on experience already acquired in the countries in question, which he compares with that of France under the Fifth Republic.