Federation Council
Background
The Federation Council is the upper chamber of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, with the State Duma serving as the lower house. Established by the 1993 Constitution, it functions as the national body of territorial representation and participates in the federal legislative process. Its role is significant because federal laws adopted by the State Duma normally require review and approval by the upper chamber, and the council also takes part in constitutional and institutional decisions assigned to the legislature.
The council is composed of senators representing Russia’s federal subjects, with each of the 89 federal subjects sending two members for a total of 178 senators. The Constitution also allows for up to 30 additional senators from the Russian Federation, including life appointments for some former presidents, though no such life senators were listed as of 2020. The speaker, currently Valentina Matviyenko, heads the chamber and occupies the third-highest state position in the Russian Federation, after the president and prime minister; in the event of incapacity of both, the speaker becomes acting president. The Federation Council holds its sessions in Moscow, primarily in the Main Building on Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street, with offices and committee rooms on New Arbat Avenue.
Since its creation, the Federation Council has remained a core institution of Russia’s federal system, linking regional authorities with the central state. Its membership structure reflects the country’s territorial organization, including republics, oblasts, krais, federal cities, autonomous okrugs, and an autonomous oblast. In recent activity, council representatives have participated in work on domestic policy issues such as tourism development, education strategy, and financial culture initiatives, showing its continuing involvement in legislative and policy coordination. Its sessions are generally public and follow a regular calendar in Moscow, though closed meetings may be convened when necessary.
Timeline
Federation Council was described as working on legislation to develop domestic tourism infrastructure.
M. Akhmadov Participated in the Opening of the 32nd International Tourism and Hospitality Industry Exhibition
Documents
M. Akhmadov Participated in the Opening of the 32nd International Tourism and Hospitality Industry Exhibition
Federation Council senator Mokhmad Akhmadov attended the opening of the 32nd MITT international tourism expo, highlighting parliament's work on legislation to develop domestic tourism infrastructure.
Meeting with Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov
Putin met with Education Minister Kravtsov, who reported Russia's Education Development Strategy is near completion, unified school curricula and history textbooks are being rolled out nationwide, and the country has entered the global top ten in school quality.
Vitaly Savelyev Participates in the Federal Air Transport Agency's Annual Board Meeting
Deputy PM Savelyev announced Russia carried 109 million air passengers in 2025 and plans to reconstruct at least 75 airports by 2030 under the national transport project.
The Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Russia to Name the Financial Culture Capital of 2026
Russia's Finance Ministry and Central Bank will announce the 2026 "Financial Culture Capital" winner on March 12, with 13 regional finalists competing for the title.
Meeting with Permanent Members of the Security Council
Putin chaired a Security Council meeting on strengthening Russia's constitutional order, with Justice Minister Chuichenko delivering the main report.