4. State system of Bashkortostan

Adoption on October 11 1990, of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Bashkortostan opened up a new phase in the evolution of our Republic as a sovereign state within the Russian Federation, a suite possessing an immense economic and spiritual poten­tial. The Republic has established itself a reliable, economically and politically stable region.

Sovereignty has given to the Republic an opportunity to determine independently its economic policy, to rationally manage its natural production capability and earning in the best interest and for the benefit of the people.

The State Assembly - Kurultai of the Republic of Bashkortostan is the supreme representative and the single legislative body of the Republic. It consists of two Houses - the House of Representatives and the Legislative Chamber. The Bashkortostan Parliament has contain features of its own. On the one hand it is a bicameral, on the other hand - it is a unitary body. As per the Constitution, the joint session of both Houses elects Chairperson of the State Assembly's well as his or her Deputy who performs his or her functions without being released from the principal job. Chairpersons of each individual House are elected at separate sittings. In accordance with the law provisions, they concurrently serve as Deputies to the Chairperson of the State Assembly. According to the Constitution of the Bashkortostan, only the State Assembly is entitled to adopt a Constitution, Codes, Laws, and any amendments; it determines, jointly with the President the domestic and foreign policies of the Republic, endorses the State Budget, supervises its execution; gives its consent to the President's nomination of a Prime Minister, passes a decision to hold elections of the President, deputies of the State Assembly and local authorities; elects the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of Arbitration; appoints the Procurator and the Commissioner of the Republic of Bashkortostan for Human Rights. At least once a year the Parliament shells hear and discuss the President's message on the main guidelines of the home and foreign policies. The State Assembly wields many other power and authority as well.

The legislative Chamber functions on a continuous professional basis. It is exactly this house that makes Codes and Law. The House of Representatives does not operate full-time, but takes an active part in the law-making process, approves or rejects Codes, Laws or other acts adopted by the Legislative Chamber, introduces amendments or supplements thereto as may be required.

Each House comprises seven equally named, "replica" committees, which work in parallel, each having its own specific tasks in the law-making process.

The House of Representatives comprises 150 Deputies, the Legislative Chamber numbers 40.

The State Assembly is elected for four years. A Secretariat is formed to maintain its activities.

Bashkortostan stands out for stability and peaceful atmosphere.

The Republic numbers 20 cities, the largest being Ufa, Sterlitamak, Salavat, Neftekamsk, Okryabrskj.