21 Sept-4 Oct 1993.
The Constitutional crisis was a conflict over the extent of presidential power in Russia between Boris Yeltsin and the parliament. It caused the bloodiest street fighting Moscow had seen in 75 years and gave Yeltsin the power he had asked for.
Tanks of the Taman Division Shooting At the White House, 4 October 1993. Unknown Photographer
Background
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian Federation was both politically and economically vulnerable. Yegor Gaidar’s “shock therapy” in economy had resulted in rising prices, inflation and the shortage of goods.
The president had imposed radical reforms mostly by decree. His support in the parliament was not firm. There were constitutional contradictions between the 1978 constitution and reality.
Events
On 21 September 1993, president Boris Yeltsin made a public statement that he was dissolving the Supreme Soviet of the Congress of People’s Deputies. According to the constitution the president had no right to do so. Yeltsin based his mandate on the referendum results of April 1993.
The parliament, led by speaker Ruslan Khasbulatov and Vice-President Alexander Rutskoy, said it was unlawful and dangerous. They accused Yeltsin of preparing a coup d’etat. The president was impeached by parliament and his decisions declared null and void.
Popular demonstration against Yeltsin appeared on the streets of Moscow. Two weeks of street fighting followed.
On 3 October, the demonstrators stormed the White House of parliament and assaulted the Ostankino television centre. 4 October, the army that was neutral until then was used by Boris Yeltsin to take back the White House. Allegedly 197 were killed and 437 wounded in a fierce street fighting. The demonstrations were put down.
Results
Boris Yeltsin pushed through his new constitutional plan that gave him more individual power. The polls show that the majority of the Russian people at that time considered Yeltsin’s powerful measures and the use of tanks justified. But his popularity was going downhill.
Constitutional Crisis
21 Sept-4 Oct 1993.
The Constitutional crisis was a conflict over the extent of presidential power in Russia between Boris Yeltsin and the parliament. It caused the bloodiest street fighting Moscow had seen in 75 years and gave Yeltsin the power he had asked for.
Tanks of the Taman Division Shooting At the White House, 4 October 1993. Unknown Photographer
Background
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian Federation was both politically and economically vulnerable. Yegor Gaidar’s “shock therapy” in economy had resulted in rising prices, inflation and the shortage of goods.
The president had imposed radical reforms mostly by decree. His support in the parliament was not firm. There were constitutional contradictions between the 1978 constitution and reality.
Events
On 21 September 1993, president Boris Yeltsin made a public statement that he was dissolving the Supreme Soviet of the Congress of People’s Deputies. According to the constitution the president had no right to do so. Yeltsin based his mandate on the referendum results of April 1993.
The parliament, led by speaker Ruslan Khasbulatov and Vice-President Alexander Rutskoy, said it was unlawful and dangerous. They accused Yeltsin of preparing a coup d’etat. The president was impeached by parliament and his decisions declared null and void.
Popular demonstration against Yeltsin appeared on the streets of Moscow. Two weeks of street fighting followed.
On 3 October, the demonstrators stormed the White House of parliament and assaulted the Ostankino television centre. 4 October, the army that was neutral until then was used by Boris Yeltsin to take back the White House. Allegedly 197 were killed and 437 wounded in a fierce street fighting. The demonstrations were put down.
Results
Boris Yeltsin pushed through his new constitutional plan that gave him more individual power. The polls show that the majority of the Russian people at that time considered Yeltsin’s powerful measures and the use of tanks justified. But his popularity was going downhill.
Russia Under Putin