Federal Subjects of the Russian Federation State, Legislative and Executive Authorities

The Russian Federation consists of republics, territories, regions, federal cities, an autonomous region and autonomous areas, which are equal subjects of the Russian Federation. There are 89 federal subjects of the Russian Federation (Article 65 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation: 21 autonomous republics, 6 krais (provinces), 49 oblast (regions), two cities of federal status (Moscow and Saint-Petersburg), one autonomous oblast and 10 autonomous okrugs (districts), each endowed with equal rights.

The federated structure of the Russian Federation is based on its state integrity, the uniform system of state power, delimitation of scopes of authority and powers between the bodies of state power of the Russian Federation and the bodies of state power of the subjects of the Russian Federation, equality and self-determination of the peoples in the Russian Federation.

All the subjects of the Russian Federation are equal among themselves in relations with the Federal bodies of state power.

The status of a republic is defined in the Federal Constitution and the Constitution of the respective republic. The status of a territory, region, a Federal city, the autonomous region and an autonomous area is set out in the Constitution of the Russian Federation and in the Statute of the respective territory, region, Federal city, autonomous region and autonomous area, which is adopted by the legislative (representative) power body of the respective Federation member.

The republic has its own constitution and legislation. A territory, region, federal city, autonomous region and autonomous have its own charter and legislation.

State power in the subjects of the Russian Federation is exercised by the organs of state authority formed by them.

The scopes of authority and powers of the bodies of state authority of the Russian Federation and the bodies of state authority of the subjects of the Russian Federation are delimited under this Constitution of the Russian Federation, Federal and other Treaties on the delimitation of scopes of authority and powers.

Article 77 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation states that the system of state power bodies of the republics, territories, regions, federal cities, the autonomous region, autonomous areas is established by the subjects of the Russian Federation independently in accordance with the basic principles of the constitutional system of the Russian Federation and general principles of the organization of legislative and executive bodies of power as envisaged by the federal law.

The state structure, legal status of subjects of the federation, and relations between them and the Federation are regulated by the Constitution of the Russian Federation and the Federative agreement.

Outside the framework of power within the terms of reference of the Federal authorities and within the joint competence of Federal authorities and the power bodies in the Federation members, the member-republics, territories, regions, Federal cities, the autonomous region and autonomous areas exercise their own legislative regulation, including lawmaking and passage of any other legislative acts.

Under arrangements with the executive bodies in the Federation members, the Federation members, the Federal executive authorities may delegate part of their powers to the latter.

Article 76 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation states that  "outside of the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and the joint jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and the subjects of the Russian Federation republics, territories, regions, federal cities, autonomous regions and autonomous areas shall effect their own legal regulation, including the adoption of laws and other regulatory legal acts."

Legal documents of the federal subjects passed on questions of joint jurisdiction cannot contravene federal constitutional and federal laws, presidential decrees or resolutions of the Government of the Russian Federation.

Of the 89 members of the Russian Federation the 21 republics are each administered by a President - the head of the executive organ of authority in a republic.

The remaining federal subjects of the Russian Federation - krai, oblast, city of federal significance, autonomous oblast and autonomous okrug - are governed by local administration (government), the head (governor) of which is the highest official in the territory.

Within the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and the powers of the Russian Federation on issues within the joint jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and the subjects of the Russian Federation the federal bodies of executive power and bodies of executive power of the subjects of the Russian Federation form the single system of executive power in the Russian Federation.

To exercise their powers, the federal bodies of executive power may set up their own territorial structures and appoint respective officials. By agreement with organs of executive power of the subjects of the Russian Federation, the federal organs of executive power may delegate to them part of their powers provided this does not contravene the Constitution of the Russian Federation or federal laws.