Representative democracy exists thanks to the delegation of authority from the public to the deputies that, in theory, designed to protect their interests.Getting those powers and mandate of the deputy, our representatives at the same time acquire special rights, duties and privileges even.
Terminology
mandate - a borrowed word in the Russian language came from the French, but has a Latin origin.In ancient Rome, so-called law of the emperor, which gave special rights to the provinces and claimed the mandatory legal norms.In modern language, this term has two main semantic load.Firstly, the mandate - a document certifying certain powers.For example, after World War I were given a mandate to manage the colonies.Or, closer to us an example - the right to the Member of Parliament.Secondly, this concept is associated with vacant seats to take the person, most often through the election.For example, the Parliament is represented by 450 seats, ie the seats to be occupied by the election results.
State Duma elections and the distribution of seats in it
In Russia there is a bicameral parliament.Members of the lower house - the State Duma - elected by popular vote every four years.For a long time in our country was dominated by a mixed electoral system combining elements of majority and proportional systems.At the moment there is only the latter that is the vote takes place on party lists in proportion to the number of votes received is the distribution of mandates.
There are different techniques of calculations, but in Russia the method of Hare.First, the number of ballots accepted by the vote, divided by the number of seats in the Duma.We get the first private number.Then - mathematics.The number of votes received by a particular party, is divided into a private number.The resulting figure shall be rounded down, and so calculated the number of representatives of the parties to be represented in the Duma.But the calculations required to be radical.So, this is the last place is passed party, which places the highest residue.If all of a sudden they are the same, deputy chair goes to the party, which has a large integer, that is, more votes.
Types mandates
in the Soviet Union there was the so-called imperative mandate.This meant that the activities of the representative of the people was based on the mandate from the voters and had him perform.If he does not meet the expectations of the electorate could be revoked and deprived of empowerment.
Now Russia has a free mandate, which does not connect with voters deputies obligations directly.MP at the meetings with the electorate, of course, takes requests, but there is no legal liability on him, they will not lay.
powers of a deputy
So, going to the State Duma, representatives of the parties receive parliamentary mandate, which gives them special powers, but also imposes obligations on them.Firstly, the people's choice must not engage in commercial activities, its main source of income is wages deputies.He is obliged to attend meetings of Parliament to participate in the activities of the committees and commissions.The MP has the ability to come up with proposed legislation, visit unhindered authorities do parliamentary inquiries, which will receive an answer within a month.
the entire term of office of the member of parliament has personal inviolability.He can not be arrested without due cause (eg, arrested at the scene), to conduct personal searches and search the car or apartment.These measures are taken to protect against possible pressure when carrying out their duties.But it happens that our representatives use it for personal gain.Another important point is the exemption from the obligation to testify in connection with their competencies.
deprivation of deputy powers
Act established the reasons for which the member of parliament could lose its mandate.This is, firstly, involvement in business activities, such as own business, participation in the management of a commercial organization.Secondly, proven by the court charged with the crime.
now vividly discussed changes in the law on the status of the MP, that deal has a number of reasons for the termination of parliamentary activities.These include undeclared income, bank accounts abroad and purchase of property, the price of which exceeds the declared income of the deputy.This list is used as an offering to the deputies, and to the officials.An important addition is the declaration of income next of kin.
