  okolotin-vs-orlova-sa-vestnik-2020-3.pdf |
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- The experience of creating the institution of constitutional supervision in pre-revolutionary Russia: results and lessons
- Okolotin V.S., Orlova S.A. The experience of creating the institution of constitutional supervision in pre-revolutionary Russia: results and lessons. Vestnik of Kostroma State University, 2020, vol. 26, № 3, pp. 63-67 (In Russ.). DOI https://doi.org/10.34216/1998-0817-2020-26-3-63-67
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.34216/1998-0817-2020-26-3-63-67
- УДК: 340.131; 94(470)”1906”
- Publish date: 2020-07-18
- Annotation: The establishment of the institution of constitutional oversight in Russia has a long history. With the adoption of the "Fundamental State Laws" on April 23, 1906 (the first constitution of Russia), the functions of constitutional supervision were assigned to the First Department of the Governing Senate. In this paper, we examined the key decisions of the Governing Senate as a body of constitutional oversight during the Monarchy after the Coup of June 3, 1907; as well as February Revolution; and October Revolution. Our research has shown that at the said critical moments in Russian history, the First Department of the Senate adopted political decisions that did not comply with the provisions of the "Basic State Laws" on April 23, 1906, and had long-term negative consequences for the history of Russia. This concerned both the publication of the electoral laws of June 3, 1907, and the acts on the abdication of Nicholas II as emperor and on Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich's refusal of power. In the last ruling, which was held by the Governing Senate on November 23, 1917 as a body of constitutional supervision, the Soviet power was considered to be illegal and criminal. The Senate refused to obey its pending of the convocation of the Constituent Assembly. The decisions of the Governing Senate analysed in the article make it possible to conclude that it is necessary to observe the principle of legality when exercising constitutional supervision.
- Keywords: Basic state laws, body of constitutional supervision, First Department of Governing Senate, electoral laws, February Revolution, October Revolution.
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