JUDGES WILL BE REMOVED FROM THEIR POSTS FOR A CHANGE OF CITIZENSHIP

Now the powers of a judge can be terminated by the Federation Council in a situation of committing an offense that tarnishes the honor and dignity of the servant of Themis.

Among those, the following situations are indicated: violation of anti-corruption laws, change of the citizenship of the country, as well as keeping money in the foreign banks’ accounts, despite the current prohibition. We should note that the termination of the powers of a judge on the latter basis can occur not only in a situation of keeping money in his (or her) own account, but also if a family member does it: a spouse or even children.

What is more, the law provides for the abolition of constitutional courts in the regions of Russia.

Instead of them, the regions will have the right to form constitutional councils, which will operate under the legislature.

It should be noted that for the moment, the constitutional courts operate not in all regions of Russia. According to the law, such a judicial body is to consider the issues of the legality of the adoption of various kinds of normative acts at the regional level and be financed from the budget of the region where it operates. In fact, it turns out that the number of cases considered by such courts is negligible, but the funds necessary for their functioning, nevertheless, are allocated from the budget. According to the new law, regional constitutional courts must terminate their powers within the next two years.