1993 Russian constitutional crisis

The Russian constitutional crisis of 1993 (Russian: Конституционный кризис 1993 года) was a political confrontation in Moscow of the newly formed nation of Russia in 1993, just over a year after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It was between the government of Russia, which included President Boris Yeltsin and anti-Yeltsin oppositions, mostly the Supreme Soviet or the Russian parliamentary forces.

 Origins 
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia was governed by the Supreme Soviet, the seat of power during the Soviet era and President Boris Yeltsin. Yeltsin, who gained popularity after suppressing the August Coup, launched a new economic reform plan, privatizing state-owned factories and selling off large amounts of state-owned property to the private sector. This led to a rapid economic downturn. The Supreme Soviet opposed Yeltsin's policies, putting the brakes on them, leading to a confrontation between the Yeltsin-led executive branch and the legislature, led by the former Soviet establishment. This, coupled with the economic downturn, provided political leverage for opponents dissatisfied with Yeltsin's reforms. In particular, in April 1993, the former Communist Party and far-left parties secured a majority in the Duma, placing Yeltsin at a political disadvantage. The Supreme Soviet, by putting the brakes on Yeltsin's reforms, partially restricted his power, further exacerbating the conflict between the presidentially led executive branch and the Supreme Soviet-led legislature.

 Armed conflict 
On 21 September 1993, the Supreme Soviet was dissolved. In response, the Supreme Soviet convened the Congress of People's Deputies on 23 September, impeached the president and appointed Vice President Alexander Rutskoy as president. On 3 October, the Supreme Soviet and pro-Soviet demonstrators entered the Ostankino Tower, occupying it and inciting resistance against Yeltsin. As some of the Internal Troops guarding downtown Moscow joined the Soviets and the pro-parliamentary demonstrations swelled, Yeltsin could no longer delay military intervention. He sent troops to Moscow on 4 October, tank units surrounded the Kremlin Palace, where the Soviet demonstrators were, and at 8:00 a.m., shelled the Duma and sent in troops to occupy it. The Supreme Soviet and its leaders were arrested, and the Duma was forcibly dissolved.

 Aftermath 
After the violent crackdown on the Russian parliament, Yeltsin banned the Communist Party and all far-left movements on 5 October. Newspapers supporting the parliament were banned and the following day, the Russian Soviet regime was dissolved. This incident virtually destroyed the old Communist Party, but Yeltsin's popularity plummeted, suffering a major political blow.

 Related pages 
 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt
 Notes 

 References 

Category:History of Russia
Category:1993 in Europe
Category:1993 events
Category:1990s events
Category:1990s in Russia
Category:1990s in Europe