The interaction of an inter-regional association "Siberian accord" with the Houses of the Federal Assembly in 1990s

Soviet social system reforms of the end of 1980s - the beginning of 1990s led to its actual ruining. The crisis that touched all the spheres of life in Russia also had a territorial dimension, which manifested itself in the process of disintegration with regionalism (as a part of it) often turning into separatism. At the same time, there were certain powers in the regions eager to preserve the unity of the country, although on "genuine federalism" basis. One of the influential institutions of integration "from below" became inter-regional associations of economical interaction, the first of which to form was "Siberian accord". The associations took an active part in preparation of the documents fundamental for Russian Federation - Federal treaty and a new Constitution where spheres of joint conducting of the subjects of Federation and the center were marked. The latter required some further organizational and legislative work concerning these documents' transformation into specific political mechanisms and institutions. One of them became an accord between the Houses of the Federal Assembly and inter-regional associations signed on 15 July 1994 in Moscow. Thus, in 1990s there was developed a joint work system of the association and the Houses of the Federal Assembly, regarding federal budget preparation and confirmation. This allowed to reconcile both the interests of the center and concerns of the regions. In the process of mutual discussions there were produced certain mechanisms correlating budget policy with the programmes of socio-economical territorial development, as well as a method of transfer, financial distribution among the subjects of Federation. A lot of basic laws were corrected because of recent amendments from associations. The associations became a basis for correlation of different positions not only between the regions, the regions and the center, but also between the Federal powers. At the same time, they were not able to reach a clear power distinction. Initiatives proclaimed by the associations usually were not appreciated by the Parliament of Russia, the reasons for that being both subjective and objective. The Federal center that had partly lost its influence had to interact with regions but tried to cover its actual unwillingness to cooperate and take into consideration the subjects of Federation by means of establishing formal institutions. The members of "Siberian accord", in their turn, stating "Siberian problems" often defended only the interests of "their" regions. Interaction development between the associations and the Houses of the Federal Assembly helped to find the way out of the political crisis of the beginning of 1990s, preserve the unity of the country and found anew the Parliament of Russia as an independent and influential political institution.

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