User:Seryo93/RDFR

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Russian Democratic Federal Republic
Российская Демократическая Федеративная Республика[1]
1918–1918
Flag of Russia
Flag of Russia
until 14 April, 1918
Coat of arms of Russia until July 10, 1918 of Russia
Coat of arms of Russia
until July 10, 1918
Russia prior to several declarations of independence
StatusFederal republic
CapitalPetrograd
Common languagesRussian
GovernmentFederal presidential republic
Chairman of the Constituent Assembly 
• 1918
Victor Chernov
LegislatureRussian Constituent Assembly
(provisional and constituent)
Bicameral parliament of the Rus. Dem. Fed. Rep.
(permanent)
State Council
State Duma
Historical eraWorld War I
25 November 1917
• Established
January 18 1918
January 19 1918
CurrencyRuble
ISO 3166 codeRU
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic

Russian Democratic Federal Republic (Russian: Российская Демократическая Федеративная Республика[1], Translit: Rossiyskaya Demokraticheskaya Federativnaya Respublika), was a proposed federal form of government of Russia durning Russian Revolution of 1917. It was formally declared in January 18, when democratically elected Russian Constituent Assembly drafted and adopted the Decree on system of government of Russia, declaring Russia to be a federal democratic republic. However, day later assembly was declared dissolved by VTsIK, and thus, it was the shortest lived state in history, nominally existing only for less than one day.


Governmental structure[edit]

According to intended constitution, Russia was declared a democratic federal republic. The state fundamental basis was representative democracy and federation of national autonomous oblasts[2]. This was contrast to Decembrist constitution project, which proposes federal constitutional monarchy on economic basis.

Citizens rights and duties[edit]

The Constitution grants a universal suffrage for all citizens of Republic, that are 20 years or older[3]. This was a five years younger than in the Russian Empire (25 years or older). The most citizens duties (conscription, taxes etc.) was inherited from the Russian Empire

Head of state[edit]

The head of state was President of the Russian Democratic Federal Republic. He was elected by parliament for one-year term[3] by majority of deputies in both chambers[2]. Presidential powers was nearly identical to that of Emperor. These powers are[3]:

  • Appointment of several government officials and their removal of office.
  • Commander-in-chief of the Russian Army
  • Decision of foreign policy of Russia
  • Right to propose laws
  • Control over governmental structures member and functioning
  • Control over law enforcement
  • Exercising and overseeing management in Russia

President was, however responsible for his work before parliament. Smillar (but not identical, and more powerful) concept of presidential powers was later used in the German constitution of 1919. Due to VTsIK cancellation of constitution there was no person, that holds this office.

Legislature[edit]

According to final project of the Constitution (adopted on January 20, 1920 in Paris), legislative power was to be held by bicameral parliament.

  • The State Council of the Russian Democratic Federal Republic was the upper house, elected by regional legislatures (sejms)[2].
  • The State Duma of the Russian Democratic Federal Republic was the lower house, directly elected by citizens of the Republic.[2]

The constituent powers (ability to create new constitution and to change government type) was allocated to the Russian Constituent Assembly.[2]

Intended autonomies within federation[edit]

References[edit]