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Unit 7: Constitutional Structure: Executive

2. To dissolve the State Duma in accordance with the terms of the Constitution, Notes
3. To announce referendums according to the terms of the Constitution,
4. To submit draft laws to the State Duma,
5. To sign and promulgate federal laws.
6. To address the Federal Assembly with annual messages on the situation in the country and on
the basic objectives of the internal and foreign policy of the State.
The diplomatic powers of the President, as given in Art. 86, are:
1. To frame or direct the foreign policy of the Federation,
2. To hold negotiations and sign international treaties of the Federation,
3. To sign instruments of ratification,
4. To receive letters of credence and letters of recall of the diplomatic representatives accredited to
his office.
Besides, the President has some other powers which may be enumerated as under:
1. The Constitution spells out obligations of the President in general as (i) to protect and preserve
the Constitution, (ii) to guarantee protection of the human rights and freedoms, (iii) to adopt
measures to safeguard the sovereignty, independence and unity of the State, (iv) to ensure
coordinated functioning and interaction of all bodies of the Government, (v) to determine the
basic objectives of the home and foreign policy of Russia, and (vi) to represent the Federation in
international relations. It must be done in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
2. To use conciliatory procedure so as to resolve disputes between the federal government and
the governments of the constituent units and to refer that matter to an appropriate court in the
event of non-agreement; to suspend any law or act of a constituent unit on the ground of being
against the Russian Constitution, or against any federal law, or against international
commitments of the Federation, or against human and civil rights and freedoms, until the issue
is resolved by an appropriate court,
3. To settle matters relating to the citizenship of Russia and granting political asylum; to bestow
State awards and confer honorary titles and supreme military and special titles and to grant
pardon.
The President of China

Since China is a republic, it is headed by the President with a Vice-President under him. Both are
elected by the National People’s Congress for a term of five years. That is, the term of the President
and the Vice-President is concurrent with that of the NPC and, as in the USA, it is limited to two
consecutive terms. A citizen of China having right to vote and above 45 years of age may hold this
post. He performs some important functions as:
1. To enforce laws and decrees made by the National People’s Congress or its Standing Committee,
2. To appoint and remove the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, heads of the
commissions, Secretary-General of the State Council and Auditor-General,
3. To confer awards and honours on the distinguished figures of his country.
4. To grant amnesty to the offenders or the sentence of a criminal,
5. To enforce martial law and to mobilise armed forces for the defence of the country,
6. To represent his country at international conferences,
7. To appoint and recall Chinese ambassadors to foreign countries and to receive foreign envoys
for maintaining international relations, and
8. To confirm or repeal treaties made with foreign States.
It may, however, be pointed out that the Chinese President performs his functions with the formal
nod of the NPC or its Standing Committee. He performs his executive functions through the State
Council that is responsible to the NPC or its Standing Committee. He has no veto power over the bills

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