Milestones in the evolution of regional representative government in the Rostov region (1985–2022)

Abstract

Aim. The article aims at conducting historical and political analysis of the functioning of representative authorities in one of the largest constituent entities of the Russian Federation - the Rostov Region from the beginning of perestroika to the present (1985–2022). In the 37-year historical range under consideration, a number of stages is distinguished, within the framework of which significant political changes took place: both personnel and in the activities of the regional parliament.Methodology. A wide range of historical and political sources characterizing the dynamics of development and the functioning of the regional parliament was analyzed. The work applied comparative and retrospective analysis methods, as well as an institutional approach.Results. On the basis of the conducted research, several stages of the functioning of the Don parliament were determined. The representative body (the Regional Council of People’s Deputies, the Legislative Assembly of the Rostov region) differentially implemented in its activities the functions peculiar to parliamentary structures (representative, control, legislative activity, personnel and leadership), occupied both key and dependent roles in the regional political system, was formed by means of electoral models modified depending on the established legislative models. In the course of the study, the place and role of party participation in the deputy corps of the representative authority in the Rostov region were determined, a detailed description of the composition of the regional authority of various deputy convocations was given, the dynamics in the representation of women and youth in the ranks of parliamentarians was traced.Research implications. The conducted research analyzes for the first time the order of functioning of a representative regional authority in the specified historical range. The conclusions made by the author allow us to determine the contours of further evolution and improvement of the activities of the regional parliament of the Rostov region.