VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000 > B. Europe, 1945–2000 > 7. Eastern Europe, 1945–2000 > i. Russia (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Successor States) > 2. Post-Soviet Successor Republics in Europe and Asia > k. Russian Federation > 1993, Feb. 11
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1993, Feb. 11
 
President Yeltsin and Supreme Soviet chair Ruslan Khasbulatov held a round of talks in Moscow but failed to reach any agreement. The two were locked in confrontation during February, essentially over whether supreme political power in post-Communist Russia resided with the presidency or the legislature.  1
 
March 20
 
President Yeltsin addressed the nation on television, saying he had signed a series of decrees introducing a special regime and had scheduled April 25 for a national vote of confidence in the president and a vote on the new constitution. The Congress of People's Deputies would cease to exist under the new constitution. On March 22 the Constitutional Court began examining the legality of Yeltsin's address and decreed that Yeltsin had exceeded his authority. The climax came on March 28 with a motion to dismiss Yeltsin as president, which was voted on by secret ballot. The tally was 617 votes in favor and 268 against, but this fell short of the necessary two-thirds majority of the 1,033 deputies.  2
 
April 25
 
In a special referendum, President Yeltsin received an important personal vote of confidence and secured support for his reform programs.  3
 
May 1
 
Up to 600 demonstrators and police were injured in clashes in Moscow, in the worst violence since the failed coup attempt of August 1991, during a protest march organized by pro-Communist and nationalist opponents of President Yeltsin.  4
 
May 10
 
President Yeltsin dismissed Yury Skokov from his post as secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. Skokov, one of the most powerful politicians in Russia, had criticized Yeltsin for his introduction of special rule in March.  5
 
Sept. 21
 
President Yeltsin declared the suspension of all “legislative, administrative, and control functions” of the Russian Parliament and called elections to the State Duma (lower house).  6
 
Oct. 3–4
 
Serious armed clashes occurred in Moscow between forces loyal to President Yeltsin and rebels protesting against his suspension of the Parliament.  7
 
Nov. 9
 
Russia's draft constitution was published, to be submitted for approval in a national referendum in December. The constitution included increased presidential powers and decreased parliamentary power.  8
 
Dec. 11
 
In parliamentary elections, Russia's ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party, described as neo-Fascist by reform-minded critics, unexpectedly led the popular vote by a wide margin. Party leader Vladimir Volfrovich Zhirinovsky commanded 24 percent of those votes cast for parties.  9
Voters also approved the new constitution, with 57 percent in favor.  10
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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