Somehow it happened that in Russia the authorities blamed the first person for all shortcomings or shortcomings. However, the system of government bodies is quite complex and multifaceted. The functions in it are distributed. Some of them are carried out by the government, local authorities deal with some issues, others, the most important ones, are decided by the Federation Council. This is all enshrined in the basic law - the Constitution. In order not to get confused, you need to have a minimum of knowledge on this topic. Let's figure it out.
What it is?
We rarely hear about decisions made by the Federation Council. This is, in principle, good enough.
You yourself will understand this when you familiarize yourself with the list of its functions. Many people mistakenly believe that the Federation Council is the State Duma. But this is a big mistake. They are various representative bodies with separate functions. The Federation Council is the
upper house of parliament. It consists of representatives of all territorial units of Russia. It resolves issues relating to the overall life of the state, affecting the interests of all citizens, each subject of the Russian Federation. When conversations come on the topic of sovereignty, war and peace, participation in global processes, you need to look at what this body thinks about it. The State Duma deals with internal political issues. The body reviews and adopts laws binding on all entities. The decisions made by the Federation Council have the same power. This cannot be challenged or failed. Now more about his competence, fixed constitutionally.
Exclusive Powers
We open the Constitution. Article 102 of this document speaks of what exclusive powers are exercised by the Federation Council of the Russian Federation. These include issues of regulating borders between entities that are part of the country. All controversial issues cannot be resolved without an act of this chamber of parliament. The use of the armed forces of Russia is also impossible without its verdict. This representative body has the right to give (pick up) the commander in chief permission to conduct hostilities outside the country. This happened in 2008 and 2014, when Russia's neighbors had critical situations. The Council of the Federation of the Russian Federation made a decision on the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation abroad by order of the Commander-in-Chief.
Personnel Exclusive Powers
In any state, there are positions that affect the issues of its survival or prosperity. Candidates need to be selected carefully, comprehensively analyzing their qualities, thoughtfully. And most importantly - the process must be consolidated by law, having developed protective mechanisms. The Federation Council decides when to call the presidential election . In addition, he is in charge of the personnel affairs of the heads of the courts: the Constitutional, the Supreme Arbitration and the Supreme. The Attorney General is also appointed by the Federation Council. That is, people holding senior government posts cannot be dismissed or appointed without the approval of this body.
Economic issues
Article one hundred and sixth of the basic law lists the topics that the Federation Council must consider. For example, the state budget must be approved by the authority. He also considers issues related to federal taxes, currency, credit, financial, customs regulation. Money issue is in his charge. When a country concludes treaties with other states, they must be ratified (approved). The Federation Council of the Russian Federation is engaged in this. Only after the adoption of an appropriate decision by him, all other bodies have the right to use the provisions of the contract in their activities. One of the most important issues for the state is its relationship with other countries. In the Constitution, it is called "a state of war and peace." This issue is also under the jurisdiction of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation.
Self-organization
The next group of questions is the work of the body itself. Its structure is provided for in the Constitution, as well as the functioning order. The basic law sets out only general points. There it is impossible to foresee all the subtleties that are of fundamental importance in making critical decisions. They are developed and approved by the Council itself. He draws up a regulation in which the procedures for his activities are spelled out in detail and specifically. For example, take the issue of ratification of treaties. The constitution says that the Federation Council is in charge of it. However, it matters how this procedure goes. After all, the decision will have certain consequences. You need to answer for them. In addition, for the right decision it is necessary to take into account the opinions of various specialists, experts. Each certificate should not only become an important document, but also be brought to the attention of those responsible. That is, members of the Federation Council are required to draw up a comprehensive opinion on the issue that they are addressing. How exactly is the process of examination, familiarization, movement of information and documents, is prescribed in the regulations. Everything is provided there, up to signatures and dates.
Body structure
It is clear that with such a level of problems to be solved, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation cannot be a small organization. For its normal activity, a sufficiently large number of specialists is necessary. They should cover the full range of multilateral public policies. And just "extras" and performers are needed. Members of the Federation Council do not perform technical work. Their responsibilities include the development and approval of decisions. Everything else is prepared by the device. The body is headed by the chairman of the Federation Council (now V. I. Matvienko). Interestingly, only two people held this position. Since 2001 - S. Mironov. He worked for ten years. And in 2011, V. I. Matvienko was elected to the post. She represented St. Petersburg in this body. The chairman has three deputies. In addition, committees and commissions are created for work. Some of them carry out activities on an ongoing basis, others are temporary. The apparatus is engaged in technical activities.
The work procedure of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation
The principles of the activity of this chamber of parliament are legislatively fixed. These include openness, collectivity, publicity. Meetings of the Federation Council can be held in the presence of members of the public and the press. Many of them are invited members of the government, other specialists. All discussions are open and free. Everyone present has the right to express their opinion, based on legislation, guided by the interests of citizens and the state. There are also mandatory norms that cannot be violated. For example, at least two-thirds of its members are required to attend a meeting. Otherwise, the decision will not have legislative force. The decision is taken mainly by open vote. In this case, an electronic system is used. At least half of the members present in the hall should speak in favor.
State Duma and Federation Council
The two houses of parliament cannot but overlap in their activities. Their relationship is also governed by the fundamental law. The Duma and the Federation Council for joint work can carry out a number of events. These include joint meetings. That is, both chambers gather in one “session hall” and decide on issues that need to be considered in this format. In addition, they can create joint special bodies. Representatives of both houses are included in their composition. They also have ongoing cooperation in the field of lawmaking.