| Abstract: | This article clarifies the institutional framework and practice of the state budget compilation process in Russia, taking the 2001 federal budget as an example. The budget was the first one compiled under the new national financial system, including the Budget Code of the Russian Federation, which came into force in January 2000. The Budget Code is greatly superior to the preceding one, in the socialist era, which regulated Russia's financial activities during the initial phase of the transition period. Under the new legal system the 2001 budget was drafted by the Ministry of Finance, approved by the government, submitted to the Federal Assembly, discussed at the State Duma and finally approved by the Federation Council. A detailed analysis of this process shows that a certain order is emerging in the budget compilation process due to the comparatively amicable relationship between the government and the Federal Assembly and because of the establishment of the new legal system, including the Budget Code. The new financial system, however, has many problems, indicating that Russia will not be able to accomplish institutional changes in this field all at once. |
