Scan the text and answer the questions. THE LEGISLATIVE AND THE EXECUTIVE
THE LEGISLATIVE AND THE EXECUTIVE
BRANCHES OF POWER IN RUSSIA
The Federal Assembly – the Parliament of the Russian Federation is the representative and legislative body of the Russian Federation. It consists of two chambers: the Federation Council and the State Duma. The Federation Council includes two representatives from each constituent entity of the Russian Federation and the State Duma consists of 450 deputies. The Federal Assembly is a permanently to conduct closed sessions. Each chamber forms committees and commissions to hold implementation of the federal budget.
Federal laws adopted by the State Duma on the following issues must compulsorily be examined by the Federal Council:
– the federal budget;
– federal taxes and levies;
– financial, currency, credit and customs regulation, money emission;
– the status and protection of the state border of the RF;
– war and peace.
The Federation Council also considers a set of other issues. In particular, it approves decisions on changes of borders between constituent entities and sanctions the imposing of martial law and a state of emergency. Without the Federation Council approval, military forces cannot be used outside the country. Within its competence, there is appointment and dismissal of the Prosecutor General and judges of the auditors of the Accounts Chamber. Additionally, the Federation Council has the right of final decision on the impeachment of the President and the announcement of new elections of the President.
The following is within the jurisdiction of the State Duma:
– consent to the appointment of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation by the RF President;
– deciding the issue of confidence in the Government of the Russian Federation;
– appointment and dismissal of the Chairman of the Central Bank, the Chairman and half of the auditors of the Accounts Chamber; the Commissioner for Human Rights;
– announcement of amnesty;
– bringing charges against the President of the Russian Federation for his impeachment.
The executive power is exercised by the government which consists of the Chairman of the Government (the Prime Minister), deputy chairman and the federal ministers. Additionally, the Chairman of the Government proposes to the President candidates for the posts of deputy chairmen and the other federal ministers.
The Government introduces a draft budget to be discussed by the State Duma and it provides its implementation and realization of financial, credit and monetary policies. It carries out measures to ensure the legality, rights and freedoms of the citizens, to protect property, public order and combat crimes. It ensures state security, and the realization of foreign policy. The government ensures the implementation of a uniform state policy in the sphere of culture, science, education, social security, health and ecology.
1. What kind of a functioning body is the Federal Assembly?
2. Are there clear limitations of the competence in each chamber of the Federal Assembly?
3. What chamber has the right to conduct closed sessions?
4. What chamber is responsible for the consideration of financial problems?
5. In what connection does the world “Impeachment” appear in the text?
6. What does the text say about the insurance of state security? Whose duty is it?
UNIT 5
COMPOSITION AND FORMATION OF THE UK
Scan the text and answer the questions.
Britain is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch – Queen Elizabeth II – as a head of State. Political stability owes much to the monarchy. Its continuity has been interrupted only once (the republic of 1649-60) in over a thousand years. The Queen is impartial and acts on the advice of her ministers.
Parliament
General elections to choose MPs must be held at least every 4-5 years. Voting, which is not compulsory, is by secret ballot and is from the age of 18. The candidate polling the largest number of votes in a constituency is elected. In the election of June 1997, when 65 per cent of the electorate voted, the Labor Party gained an overall majority of 101 (Labor 419 seats, Conservative 165 and others 24). In 1988 the liberal and social Democratic parties merged and are now the Liberal Democrats (46 seats).
Government
The government is formed by the party with majority support in the Commons. The Queen appoints its leader as Prime Minister. As head of the Government the Prime Minister appoints ministers, of whom about 20 are in the Cabinet – the senior group which takes major policy decisions and individually responsible for their own departments. The second largest party forms the official opposition, with its own leader ‘shadow cabinet’. The Opposition has a duty to criticize government policies and to present an alternative program.
Policies are carried out by government departments staffed by politically neutral civil servants. They serve the government of the day, regardless of its political complexion.
1. What is the constitutional role of the Queen Elizabeth II in political system of Great Britain?
2. How many members does the House of Commons have?
3. Who can be a member of House of Lords?
4. What way should a bill pass to receive the Royal assent?
5. How often are the general elections to choose MPs held?
6. What is the minimum age that gives you a right to vote in Great Britain?
7. Who is the head of the Government?
8. What are his obligations?
9. What does the “shadow cabinet’ stand for? What is its major function?
DIALOGUE
A: As far as I know, Great Britain is a monarchy, isn`t it?
B: Yes, but Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. The Queen is not absolute.
A: By whom are the Queen`s powers limited?
B: They are limited by Parliament.
A: Parliament in Britain has a two-chamber structure, hasn`t it?
B: Yes, Parliament consists of two Houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
A: How often is Parliament elected?
B: The House of Commons is elected every 5 years. The membership in the House of Lords is hereditary. It consists of the Lords Temporal and the Lords Spiritual.
A: Well, the legislature consists of the Queen and Parliament. And what about the executive power?
B: The highest executive body is the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
A: Is the Prime Minister appointed?
B: The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the party which has a majority in the House of Commons.
A: And where is the residence of the Prime Minister located?
B: The residence of the Prime Minister is at number 10 Downing Street.
A: And whom does the supreme judicial power belong to?
B: The highest judicial body in the English judicial system is the House of Lords.
A: What parts does the UK consist of?
B: The UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
A: Does the UK have a written constitution as the USA does?
B: No. The British constitution is not written; that is to say, it has never been wholly reduced to writing.
A: What does it mean?
B: It merely means that the constitution is not embodied in any single document, or series of documents, containing the essential constitutional laws. England has many enactments which either have been or still are, of great importance, for example Magna Charta (1215), the Bill of Rights (1686), the Act of Settlement (1700), and the Parliament Acts (1911 and 1949).
A: And can the British Constitution be altered?
B: Yes, the British Constitution is considered to be flexible as Parliament can make or unmake any law by the same procedure and with same ease.
A: I greatly appreciate your detailed replies.
B: You`re welcome.
Grammar Exercises
Future Indefinite
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative | |
| Long form | Short form | ||
| I shall work You will work He will work She will work It will work We shall work You will work They will work | I shall not work You will not work He will not work She will not work It will not work We shall not work You will not work They will not work | I shan`t work You won`t work He won`t work She won`t work It won`t work We shan`t work You won`t work They won`t work | Shall I work? Will you work? Will he work? Will she work? Will it work? Shall we work? Will you work? Will they work? |