Vocabulary

Accounts Chamber Счетная палата

charge n обвинение

closed session закрытое заседание

combat crimes бороться с преступностью

Commissioner for Human Rights уполномоченный по правам человека

compulsorily adv обязательно

denunciation n расторжение (договора)

deputy Chairman помощник председателя

dismissal n увольнение, освобождение от работы

dissolve v распускать, прекращать деятельность

draft budget проект бюджета

implementation n осуществление, выполнение

levy n сбор (налогов); сборы

martial law 1 военное положение; 2 закон военного времени

money emission денежная эмиссия, выпуск денег

monitor v контролировать, проверять

Prosecutor General Генеральный прокурор

regulation n 1 регулирование; 2 регламент; 3 упорядочение; credit regulation кредитное регулирование; currency regulation валютное регулирование; customs regulation таможенное регулирование; financial regulation финансовый регламент

social security общественная безопасность

state border государственная граница

state of emergency чрезвычайное положение (в стране)

treaty n договор

Reading tasks

A Answer these questions.

1 What kind of a functioning body is the Federal Assembly?

2 Are there clear limitations of competence in each chamber in the Federal

Assembly?

3 What chamber has the right to conduct closed sessions?

4 What chamber is responsible for the consideration of financial problems?

5 In what connection does the word "impeachment" appear in the text?

6 What does the text say about the insurance of state security?

Whose duty is it?

D Decide which of statements a), b) or c) in the exercise below corresponds exactly to the meaning of the text and best completes each statement.

1 The Russian Parliament consists of…

a) one branch only

b) two chambers

c) several committees.

2 The Federation Council and the State Duma sit…

a) separately

b) together

c) with other governmental subcommittees.

3 Military forces cannot be used outside the country without the approval of…

a) the State Duma

b) the Federation Council

c) the President.

4 Appointment of the Supreme body of the judicial branch is within the competence of…

a) the Chairman of the Government

b) the Federation Council

c) the Treasury.

5 Charges against the President can be used by…

a) the government

b) deputy chairmen

c) the State Duma.

6 The Chairman’s candidate is appointed by…

a) the deputy Chairman

b) the Federation Council

c) the President.

B Put the words in brackets into the appropriate form, using the passive where necessary.

Federal laws adopted by the State Duma 1) ______ (submit) within five days for examination by the Federation Council. A federal law 2) ______ (consider) to have been approved by the Federal Council if over a half of the total number of members of that chamber 3) ______ (vote) for it or if the Federation Council 4) ______ not ______ (examine) it within fourteen days. In the event that the Federation Council 5) ______ (reject) a federal law, the chambers may set up a conciliatory commission to settle differences, after which the federal law 6) ______ (reconsider) by the State Duma.

In the event that the State Duma 7) ______ (disagree) with the decision of the Federation Council a federal law 8) ______ (consider) to have been adopted if in the second vote not less than two thirds of the total number of deputies of the State Duma 9) ______ (vote) in favour of it. If the President of the Russian Federation 10) ______ (reject) a federal law within fourteen days of receiving it, the State Duma and the Federation Council 11) ______ (reconsider) that law in accordance with the procedure established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation. If upon reconsideration the law 12) ______ (approve) in the previously adopted wording by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total number of members of the Federation Council and of deputies of the State Duma, it must 13) ______ (sign) by the President within seven days and promulgated.

Over to you.

1. Compare Russia’s state power structure with that of Great Britain.

2. Speak on the differences between the responsibilities of the two houses of Russia’s Parliament.

3. Describe the system of government in Russia, including the following points:

● The Head of State (appointment, functions and powers, relationship with

other state bodies);

● The Legislature, the Executive (composition, functions and powers,

relationship with other state bodies).

4. Suggest any improvement to the state body structure which could lead to better execution of its laws.

5. Critically examine the role of the Chairman of the Government.

6. Discuss the position and power of the President of the Russian Federation.

7. Comment on the quotation and write a story that must begin with it:

“Even when laws have been written down, they ought not always to remain unaltered”. Aristotle.

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