What was a common feature of the constitutions in post-Soviet countries, including Russia?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option 1 - Strong executive presidents with extensive powers
Most post-Soviet countries, including Russia, had constitutions with strong executive presidents who possessed extensive powers, rendering elected parliaments relatively weak.
The construction of democratic institutions was not given the same attention and priority as the demands of economic transformation. The constitutions of all these countries were drafted in a hurry and most, including Russia, had a strong executive president with the widest possible powers that rendered elected parliaments relatively weak. In Central Asia, the presidents had great powers, and several of them became very authoritarian. For example, the presidents of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan appointed themselves to power first for ten years and then extended it for another ten years. They allowed no dissent or opposition. A judicial culture and independence of the judiciary was yet to be established in most of these countries.