The Russian Federal Assembly, 1994–2004

Russia's Federal Assembly, created in December 1993, is a well-institutionalised legislative body operating in a political environment whose party system is fractious and fluid, and where the presidency dominates the entire system. Parliament's role has reflected the changing balance of forces in the wider polity. With Yeltsin as president, 1994–99, parliament served as a counterweight to the executive branch. Since 2000, however, President Putin has enjoyed unprecedented power in both chambers of parliament, through the dominant party associated with his leadership, United Russia. Parliament has become the instrument which smoothly passes Putin's legislative initiatives into law.