The Impotence of the Legislators Is a Threat to Democracy

Abstract

I.Z.: I met Viktor Vishniakov, deputy chairman of the Committee on Legislation and Judicial Reform, following a boisterous discussion in parliament about the reasons why the legislative activity under way in the State Duma drags on and on, something that has provoked much criticism from voters. My interlocutor saw the reason for this mainly in the weak juridical foundation of the work of the Federal Assembly, which prevents it from functioning to its full capacity as a representative and legislative organ of the Russian Federation.