Legislative Authority

Russia’s legislative branch is represented by a bicameral Federal Assembly, which includes the State Duma and the Federation Council. In the capital, the only legislative authority is the Moscow City Duma.

Any citizen of the Russian Federation who is 21 on the date of the election and is eligible to vote can be elected as a Moscow City Duma deputy. There is only one essential condition: deputies are not allowed to combine work in the Duma with any other paid activity, with teaching, scientific, or other creative work as exemptions from this rule.

The deputies of the Moscow City Duma are elected by the citizens of Moscow. Upon taking their positions, they pledge to observe laws and execute the powers assigned to them fairly.

The power of legislators includes the following functions:

• Adopting legislative acts of the city of Moscow;
• Approving the budget of Moscow and a report on its execution, as well as control over the use of non-budgetary funds;
• Approving the general plan for Moscow city development, along with programs for social and economic development;
• Supervising activities of municipal workers;
• Imposing and lifting taxes, levies and other obligatory payments for the city of Moscow;
• Setting penalties and other kinds of administrative responsibilities for citizens, officials and enterprises in violation of Moscow legislation; and
• Approving the Mayor’s proposals for changes to Moscow’s borders filed with public authorities of the Russian Federation and the Moscow Region.

Furthermore, the Moscow City Duma approves the appointment of the General Prosecutor, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber, their assistants, and auditors of the Accounts Chamber. The City Duma also appoints Moscow’s justices of peace. The Duma has the right for a vote of confidence for the Mayor and the Moscow City Government or its members, as well as for the officials appointed by these bodies.

The laws of the city of Moscow must be adopted by the majority of the City Duma’s deputies, and directed to the Mayor of Moscow for signing within 14 days from the adoption.

The City Duma deputies are elected for a term of four years. However, this term can be terminated early by the deputies announcing self-dissolution, or by the Mayor of Moscow or President of the Russian Federation on the basis of grounds stipulated in the legislation. In the case of early termination of the powers of the Moscow City Duma, an extraordinary election shall be held within a three-month period after the termination of powers.