Vocabulary

amend v вносить поправку, изменение, дополнение (в конституцию)

amendment n поправка (к конституции)

approval n одобрение, утверждение, санкционирование

chapter n глава (конституции)

alter v изменить, изменять(ся)

comply with v соответствовать (чему-либо)

confirm v 1 подтверждать; 2 утверждать, санкционировать

Constitutional Assembly Конституционное Собрание

convene v созывать, собирать

decree n декрет, указ

domestic law внутреннее/внутригосударственное право

draft n проект

electorate n контингент избирателей, избирательный корпус, электорат

empower v уполномочивать, предоставлять право

enact v принимать (закон)

entry into force вступление в силу

Federal Assembly Федеральное Собрание – парламент Российской Федерации

(представительный и законодательный орган)

Federal Council Совет Федерации (Верхняя палата парламента Российской

Федерации)

inviolability n неприкосновенность

juridical adj юридический, законный, правовой

nominative adj назначенный

poll n голосование

provide for v предусматривать

provided conj при условии (что), если только, в том случае если

provision n положение, постановление

repeal n аннулирование, отмена

rigid adj строгий, суровый, неукоснительный

ruling n решение, постановление, определение (суда)

state v 1 утверждать; 2 устанавливать

State Duma Государственная Дума (Нижняя палата парламента Российской

Федерации)

stipulate v обусловливать, оговаривать в качестве особого условия

submit v представлять на рассмотрение

superiority n превосходство, преимущество

variation n изменение, перемена

Reading tasks

A Answer these questions.

1 Why is the Constitution of the Russian Federation the supreme normative legal act?

2 When was the Constitution enacted?

3 What does the Constitution introduce?

4 What matters does the Constitution deal with?

5 What does the executive branch consist of?

6 What powers does the President possess?

7 Who is the Government responsible to?

8 Why is the Russian Constitution called rigid?

9 How can the Constitution be altered?

10 Who can initiate a proposal for an amendment?

11 When is a Constitutional Assembly convened?

12 What is the procedure of the modification in the name of the subject of the

Russian Federation?

B Decide which of the statements (a, b, or c) corresponds exactly to the meaning of the text and best completes the sentence.

1 The Constitution of the Russian Federation is the supreme normative act because

a) it is approved by the President

b) it deals with many matters

c) it holds the highest juridical power.

2 The Constitution provides for

a) the modification in the name of the citizen of the Russian Federation

b) the separation of powers

c) the nomination of the President of the Russian Federation.

3 The Constitution can be altered

a) by the Federal Assembly

b) by the President

c) by the Constitutional Assembly.

4 A new draft of the Constitution of the Russian Federation shall be adopted

a) by-two thirds of the deputies to the Constitutional Assembly

b) by-two fifths of the electorate

c) by-two thirds taking part in the poll.

5 The President is empowered to adopt decrees on changing the names of the subjects of the Russian Federation on the basis of

a) the ruling of the Constitutional Assembly

b) the decisions of the subjects of the Russian Federation

c) his own decision.

Language focus

A Put the verbs in brackets into the Present Simple active or passive form.

1 The Russian Federation _______ (consist) of republics, territories, regions, cities of federal importance, and autonomous regions and areas.

2 The federal structure of the Russian Federation _______ (base) on its integrity.

3 The Russian Federation is a social state whose policy _______ (aim) at creating conditions for a worthy life.

4 Everyone _______ (guarantee) the right to qualified legal assistance.

5 The state _______ (provide) access to justice for victims of crimes.

6 The economic activity aimed at monopolization and unfair competition _______ (not to allow).

7 A citizen _______ (carry out) military service according to the federal law.

8 The state flag, coat-of-arms and anthem of the Russian Federation _______ (establish) by the federal constitutional law.

B Complete these sentences using an appropriate preposition from the box.

after about between before by for

from in of on to with without

1. The State Duma consists _______ 450 deputies.

2. The status of the capital is determined _______ the federal law.

3. The border _______ the subjects of the Russian Federation may be changed upon their mutual consent.

4. The Russian language is a state language _______ the whole territory of the Russian Federation.

5. The Russian Federation guarantees to all its people the right to preserve their native language and to create conditions _______ its study and development.

6. The Russian Federation may participate _______ interstate associations.

7. Any citizen of the Russian Federation not younger than 35 years of age and _______ a permanent residence record in the Russian Federation of not less than 10 years may be elected the President of the Russian Federation.

8. The proposal on the candidate to the post of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation is submitted not later than two weeks _______ the resignation of the Government.

9. The Chairman of the Government may raise _______ the State Duma the issue of confidence to the Government.

10. The collection, keeping, use and dissemination of information _______ the private life of a person is not allowed without his or her consent.

11. The Council of the Federation elects _______ among its deputies the Chairman of the Council of the Federation.

12. No one may be subject to medical, scientific or other experiment _______ voluntary consent.

13. Citizens of the Russian Federation have the right to freely return _______ the Russian Federation.