The adoption in 1993 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the consolidation of the principles of the state federal structure laid the foundation for the formation of a new system of structures - bodies of state power of the subjects. The statuses of structural elements are determined by the Basic Law of the country and the charter of a specific region. In accordance with Art. 5 of the Constitution, the state contains equal subjects: territories, regions, cities of federal significance. The latter are special elements of the structure of government. What are cities of federal significance? Which entities have this status? More on this later in the article.
general information
Cities of federal significance of the Russian Federation are entities that have a special form of local government structure. In them, part of the authority was given directly to the state authorities of this region. Earlier, until 2014, the resort cities had no federal significance. In the light of recent events in Crimea, the situation has somewhat changed. In accordance with Art. 65 of the Basic Law, the status of a city of federal significance has three entities that are part of the state. In addition, a region that is not part of the country has a similar status. On the basis of the International Agreement with Kazakhstan since 1995, for the period of lease of the Baikonur cosmodrome complex, it has a similar status. In this case, the subject is officially not part of Russia. Accordingly, its executive authorities are not represented in the structure of the state apparatus of the country.
As a result of the Crimean events and the subsequent referendum in 2014, on March 18, an agreement was concluded with the partially recognized Crimean Republic. In accordance with it, Sevastopol was given the status of a city of federal significance of the Russian Federation. According to Art. 77 of the
Constitution, the management
structure in the subjects is organized by them independently according to the procedure set forth in the Basic Law, and according to the general principles of the structure of this system. This is what determines the constitutional and legal features that the authorities (legislative and executive) of the city of federal significance possess.
History reference
The predecessors of cities with special status can be considered the city governments that existed in the Russian Empire. What were they like? These were cities isolated from the provinces for their special geographical location or significance and reporting directly to the Minister of Internal Affairs. Subsequently, the city administrations were transformed. After the October Revolution, these entities were liquidated (reorganized into districts or counties). By 1931, Leningrad and Moscow, 2 large cities in the USSR, were again singled out as separate units of republican subordination. This status in 1948 received Sevastopol, and then, in 1987 - Leninsk. After the Soviet Union ceased to exist, Leningrad and Moscow adopted the status of independent entities and cities of federal significance. Sevastopol, which became part of Ukraine, was a special unit in accordance with its administrative division. However, in connection with the recent adoption of Crimea to Russia, it has also become a city of federal significance. As for the city of Baikonur, it, as already mentioned above, refers to the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to its legislation, the city has the status of republican significance.
Intracity Territory
This type of municipality has existed since 2006. It is an independent organizational form. Within the boundaries of the municipality, local government exercises the population directly or through elected and other bodies of power. The regulation of the provisions of the Basic Law, the Charter of the subject and the municipality itself is regulated. Moscow includes 146 such independent units. Among them, 21 settlements and 125 districts. There are only 11 entities in St. Petersburg. These include 30 settlements and 81 districts.
Moscow is a city of federal significance
It should be noted that this territory has some constitutional and legal features. In particular, it combines the status of a subject – city of federal significance, the capital of the state, and actually performs the functions of the center of the region. Moreover, the territory has some features of the municipality. In terms of numbers, Moscow is the largest city and subject of Russia. Here are located the state authorities of the country (except for the Constitutional Court), embassies of various foreign states, the main offices of major enterprises, the headquarters of public organizations. A system of local self-government has been formed in Moscow.
Brief historical background
The first transformations began in the 2nd half of the 13th century. At that time, Moscow became the center of a specific independent principality. The growth and development of the territory was facilitated by the location at the intersection of fairly large trade routes. By the 14th century, the territory of Moscow became wider. Mozhaisk and Kolomna principality joined her. In the same period, the importance of the city as a major religious center increased due to the establishment of the Moscow diocese and the transfer of the residence of the metropolitans. In the 15th century, the territory acquired a new status. At that time, Moscow became the capital of the first large state in Russia, and then the united state of Russia. Capital status was lost in 1712. Despite this, Moscow was a place for the coronation of emperors. The status of the capital returned with the victory of Bolshevism in 1920 and remains to this day.
City of federal significance St. Petersburg
This subject is an administrative, industrial center in the North-West district. In St. Petersburg, the highest governing bodies are located in the Leningrad Region. It was founded by Peter the Great in 1703, May 27. The city is home to the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of CIS Participants, and the Heraldic Council. The command of the Navy and the headquarters of the country's Armed Forces in the Western Military District are also located in St. Petersburg .
Quick reference
There have been three revolutions in St. Petersburg. During the Second World War, it was under siege for 900 days, resulting in the deaths of 1.5 million people. In 1965, the status of "Hero City" was assigned. St. Petersburg is considered the northernmost city with a population of more than a million people. The area occupied is 1,439 square meters. km St. Petersburg is one of the most important economic, cultural, scientific centers of the country, one of the largest transport hubs. The historical center and the adjacent complexes are included in the list of UNESCO heritage sites.