Prepared by the working group of the Congress of People's Deputies and experts led by Dr. Elena Lukyanova, Doctor of Juridical Sciences and Professor. Adopted at the session of the Congress of People's Deputies on February 22, 2023.
Article 1
- The Russian Republic (Russia) is a democratic legal federal state with a republican form of government.
- The terms "Russian Republic" and "Russia" are interchangeable.
- The individual, their rights, and freedoms are of the highest value. The recognition, observance, and protection of the rights and freedoms of the individual and citizen are the duty of the legislative, executive, and judicial authorities, as well as the local self-government bodies.
- The citizens of the Russian Republic, who exercise their power directly, as well as through the bodies of state power and local self-government, are the bearers and the sole source of power in the Russian Republic.
- Referendum and free elections are the highest direct expression of power.
- No one can appropriate power in the Russian Republic. Seizure of power or usurpation of powers is punishable under federal law.
- Protecting the foundations of the constitutional system is the duty of the citizens of the Russian Republic.
- In the event of usurpation of power and the violation of the foundations of the constitutional system of the Russian Republic, citizens have the right to rebellion.
- The Constitution of the Russian Republic and federal laws have supremacy throughout the territory of the Russian Republic.
- The Russian Republic ensures the inviolability of its borders and the borders of its constituent entities.
- The constituent entities of the Russian Republic have the right to self-determination, including the right to secede from the Russian Republic.
- The Russian Republic consists of equal constituent entities that have voluntarily entered and are part of it.
- The constituent entities of the Russian Republic exercise their powers and delegate some of their powers to the federal level based on the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Constitution.
- The constituent entities of the Russian Republic exercise their right to self-determination through a referendum conducted in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
- In the event of changes to the borders of the constituent entities of the Russian Republic, referendums are held in all affected entities with the participation of international observers and observers from the Russian Republic.
- The constituent entities of the Russian Republic have the right to establish their own state symbols, languages, and cultural identities.
- Citizenship of the Russian Federation is acquired and terminated in accordance with the republican law, and is equal and independent regardless of the grounds for acquisition.
- Every citizen of the Russian Federation enjoys all rights and freedoms on its territory and has equal obligations as provided by the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
- A citizen of the Russian Federation cannot be deprived of their citizenship, except in cases where it was obtained in violation of the requirements of the Constitution of the Russian Federation or federal laws.
- A citizen of the Russian Federation cannot be restricted in the right to change their citizenship or renounce it.
- Dual citizenship is permitted in the Russian Federation.
- The Russian Federation is a social state. The main goals and priority task of the Russian Federation are to create conditions for a decent life and the free development of individuals.
- In the Russian Federation, the unity of the economic space, free movement of goods, services, and financial resources, support for competition, and freedom of economic activity are guaranteed.
- Private, state, municipal, and other forms of ownership are equally recognized and protected in the Russian Federation.
- Land and other natural resources are used and protected in the Russian Federation as the basis of life and activity for the peoples residing in the respective regional territories.
- Land and other natural resources may be owned in private, state, municipal, and other forms.
- Revenues from the exploitation of natural resources (natural rent) are used to establish a mutual assistance fund for the subjects, as well as to finance social obligations and guarantees for the citizens of the Russian Federation.
- The state power in the Russian Federation consists of three branches - legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative, executive, and judicial authorities are independent.
- The state power in the Russian Federation is exercised by the Parliament, the Government of the Russian Federation, and the courts of the Russian Federation.
- The state power in the subjects of the Russian Federation is exercised by the state authorities formed by them.
- The division of powers and responsibilities between the state authorities of the Russian Federation and the state authorities of the subjects of the Russian Federation is based on this Constitution and can be further specified by agreements on the division of powers and responsibilities.
- Local self-government is recognized and guaranteed in the Russian Republic. Municipal entities are autonomous within their powers. The organizational, financial, and economic autonomy of municipal entities is guaranteed.
- Ideological diversity is recognized in the Russian Republic.
- No ideology can be established as state or mandatory.
- Political diversity and multi-party system are recognized in the Russian Republic.
- Public associations are equal under the law.
- The Russian Republic is a secular state. No religion can be established as state or mandatory. Coercion to study religion in state educational institutions is not allowed.
- Religious associations are separate from the state and equal under the law. State and municipal authorities have no right to create preferences for specific denominations, churches, or other religious organizations and associations.
- Objects of worship are owned by municipalities, and the consent of citizens determines the access of religious organizations and associations to them in accordance with the laws of the Russian Republic.
- State authorities, local self-government, courts, officials, citizens, and their associations are obliged to ensure compliance with the Constitution and laws of the Russian Republic.
- Laws must be officially published. Unpublished laws are not applicable. Any normative legal acts that affect the rights, freedoms, and obligations of individuals cannot be applied if they are not officially published for general information.
- Laws and decisions of state authorities and local self-government bodies that restrict the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution of the Russian Republic are not applicable and must be repealed by the judicial authority.
- Generally recognized principles and norms of international law and international treaties of the Russian Republic are an integral part of its legal system. If an international treaty of the Russian Republic establishes rules different from those provided by domestic law, the rules of the international treaty apply.
- The provisions of this chapter of the Constitution constitute the foundations of the constitutional system of the Russian Republic and can only be amended in the manner prescribed by this Constitution.
- No other provisions of this Constitution can contradict the foundations of the constitutional system of the Russian Republic.