Constitutional (Statutory) Councils of the Federal Subjects of Russia: Selected Issues of Organization and Activities

The article deals with the issues of organization and functioning of constitutional (statutory) councils in the federal subjects of Russia. The constitutional reform carried out in 2020 led to the abolition of constitutional (statutory) courts in the the federal subjects of Russia, renewing the issue of protecting the fundamental laws of the regions. The right of federal subjects of Russia to create constitutional (statutory) councils within their legislative bodies was indicated as one of the possible instruments. The practice of establishing and operating these councils is currently limited to four constituent entities (Yakutia, Adygea, Bashkortostan, and Tatarstan). Analyzing the provisions of republican constitutions and legislation, we conclude that there are excessive discrepancies in the regulation of the status of such bodies in different federal subjects of Russia. Some of these regional decisions appear to be an interesting and effective way to enhance the significance of constitutional (statutory) councils within the system of regional governments, while others raise doubts as unjustified restrictions on their competence. We beleive that it is the federal legislator who should take responsibility for defining principles for organizing constitutional (statutory) councils that are common to all subjects of the Russian Federation and enshrine the obligation to create them in each region.