The Institute of Modern Russia, the think-tank of the Open Russia movement, has published its report on the ongoing constitutional crisis in Russia. The introduction to the report summarises the seriousness of the situation:

Russia is at a constitutional turning point. The outcome of this moment—an anti-constitutional coup or the beginning of a long effort aimed at the restoration of constitutional freedoms and principles that have been gradually usurped for 15 years by reactionary reforms, which have one by one eroded the democratic essence of the Russian Constitution—depends upon the people. Today, everything points to the willingness of the authorities to use foreign and domestic challenges—some of them real, others of their own making—to eradicate any remaining sense from the Constitution. 

There is every indication that an anti-constitutional coup is already in process. In Russia, power is being concentrated in the hands of unconstitutional authorities that have taken the place of constitutional institutions. Some of these authorities have been formalized (such as the Presidential Administration or the Security Council), while others exist somewhat “beyond politics”—as a small circle of presidential insiders. Russia does not know by whom it is governed, let alone who controls these people. 

The report not only looks in detail at the systematic reduction in the effectiveness and implementation of the Constitution, it also suggests ways to resolve the crisis.

For anybody who wants to understand how Russia has become the country it has, the report is essential reading.

Download the full report in English

Download the full report in Russian