Location: The Heritage Foundation's Allison Auditorium
President Vladimir Putin will lead the United Russia party list
in the forthcoming December 2 Duma elections. These are the first
of two major events in the 2007-2008 political cycle (the second
being the March 2008 presidential elections). In addition to United
Russia, the Communists, Just Russia, Liberal Democratic Party and a
slew of smaller parties are competing for the Russians' votes.
To Russians, parliamentary elections are not as critical as a
presidential vote. Under the Constitution, the Russian parliament's
role is circumscribed by the presidential rule and a feeble civil
society. In addition, with Russia's weak checks-and-balances
system, dramatic strengthening of the executive branch under
President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin's control over large
parties, the lower house has become a trusted ally of the incumbent
administration.
Is this about to change? What are implications of the December
elections on the future of multi-party democracy and separation of
powers in Russia? How will the country be governed and will it
remain on a democratic path?
More About the Speakers
Angela Stent, Ph.D.
Professor of Government and Director,
Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies,
Georgetown School of Foreign Service
Steven Groves
Bernard and Barbara Lomas Fellow,
Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom,
The Heritage Foundation