The State Council will not have the authority to submit bills to the State Duma; this can be done through the President of Russia. Pavel Krasheninnikov, chairman of the State Duma Committee on State Construction and Legislation, told TASS on Wednesday, July 29.
“No, he cannot submit bills himself. The formation of the State Council is the competence of the president, therefore, bills can only be introduced through him, ”said Krasheninnikov, who is the co-chairman of the working group on developing initiatives to implement the new provisions of the Russian Constitution.
In an interview with TASS on July 13, Krasheninnikov said that the State Council, as a new constitutional body, would have to ensure the operation of a unified system of public authority, but its activities should not overlap with the Federation Council or the government.
According to the new provisions of the Russian Constitution that have come into force, the State Council is formed by the president, who also holds the post of chairman. Moreover, the status of this body will be determined by federal law. Among the main functions of the State Council is the discussion of especially significant issues by the Russian leader and the heads of the subjects.
As Izvestia noted on July 14 with reference to members of the working group on the Constitution and experts, the State Council will become the main platform for the president’s dialogue with the regions. At its meetings, they will discuss issues of national importance, as well as summarize the interim results of work on the ground.
A separate federal law will be adopted to determine its new status. Some political analysts believe that in order to strengthen the State Council, executive powers may be added to its already existing advisory function.