TRANSFORMATION OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT IN 1991–1994 (based on the materials of Nizhny Novgorod)
Authors: Halin Alexey A. , Kiseleva Anna V. , Kainova Elena V. , Sukhova Elvira R. 
Published: October 2022

The relevance of the article is to highlight previously unexplored process showing evolvement of local self-government bodies in modern Russia when a new system of public relations was created before the adoption of the country’s Constitution in 1993. The claim that creation of the municipal government system began on the basis of the new Constitution is not substantiated by historical research. The presented article is intended to fill this gap.

The material was prepared based on the study of scientific literature and archival materials. The basis of the research is made by documents from the archives of the city of Nizhny Novgorod and the Central Archive of Nizhny Novgorod region. At this, the concrete-historical method, methods of using external and internal criticism of documents, comparative analysis were used.

The article reveals the process of local self-government transformation in Nizhny Novgorod in 1991–1994. The attempts to reform local self-government were initiated as early as within the framework of the Soviet political system. However, drastic changes occurred here only after the August Putsch failure and the beginning of the leading communist party officials’ dismantling.

Changes in the system of local self-government bodies began with the executive branch. On December 24, 1991 By the Decree of the President B.E. Yeltsin the post of head of the Administration of the city of N. Novgorod was taken up by D.I. Bednyakov. This appointment was perceived by the deputies of Nizhny Novgorod City Council of People’s Deputies as an undemocratic step of the new “democratic” government. From that moment, the powers of the city executive committee of the local Council of People’s Deputies were terminated.

Nizhny Novgorod City Council of People’s Deputies functioned until the fall of 1993. After the October events in Moscow, a radical restructuring of the entire system of local self – government began on the basis of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of October 26 , 1993 “On the Basics of Organizing Local Self-Government in the Russian Federation for the Period of Step-By-Step Constitutional Reform.” In pursuance of this decree, an act was issued by the Head of the Administration dated 29.10.1993, according to which it was prescribed: “to cease the activities of Nizhny Novgorod City Council of People’s Deputies beginning from October 29, 1993.” Preparations began for the election of a new representative body of city self–government – the City Duma of Nizhny Novgorod. Following the results of the elections held on March 27, 1994, the staff of the first convocation of the City Duma was formed.

The article argumentatively shows that formation of new local self-government bodies began on the basis of decrees issued by the President of the Russian Federation and resolutions of local authorities even earlier than adoption of the Constitution of 1993. This conclusion has important practical and theoretical significance for understanding the political history of modern Russia.