Russian Politics - Multiparty System in Russia. Major Parties
The multiparty system in Russia began to emerge as early as 1980-s when the elections of People's Deputies of the USSR were first conducted on a democratic basis.
In June 1990 the article of the Constitution of the RSFSR related to the leadership of the CPSU was eliminated and to in January 1991 the law “On public associations” came into force. As a result new parties and non-governmental associations were registered, and the Communist Party of the Russian Federation emerged from the former CPSU.
Revitalization of the party life in Russia took place in the end of 1993. Then, 35 parties competed during the elections to the State Duma. By the time of the State Duma elections in 1995 more than 80 parties were registered.
19 parties and 4 blocks took part in the elections to the Duma in 2003 when the presidential party “United Russia” won the greatest support.
The members of “United Russia” led all Duma committees. Boris Gryzlov, one of the leaders of the party, was appointed the Speaker of the Duma.
The other major parties are the Communist Party Russia, “Rodina”, the LDPR, and “Agrarian Russia”.
