Russia

131-ФЗ (2003)

Formally: Федеральный закон 'Об общих принципах организации местного самоуправления в Российской Федерации'

Федеральный закон от 06.10.2003 № 131-ФЗ, ст. 35-36

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Sunshine Score: 36/100 (weak)
36/100

Sunshine Score

36/100
Weak
Methodology v0.1
Advance Notice 10 days, online posting required
Public Comment Not required
Closed Sessions 6 permitted categories
Minutes Required, online posting required
Recording Not required
Remote Participation Not allowed
Enforcement No specified remedy, legislature exempt

Agenda & Notice Requirements

Regular Meetings
10 days

Online posting: Required

Public Participation

Public Comment
Not required
Written Comment
Not allowed

Virtual Meetings

Member Remote Participation
Not allowed
Public Remote Comment
Not allowed

Closed Sessions

Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances

Permitted Categories

Meeting Minutes

Minutes Required
Yes

Online posting: Required

Recording & Broadcast

Recording Required
No
Broadcast Required
No

Enforcement

Violation Effect
No Specified Remedy
Standing to Sue
Any person with a legitimate interest may seek judicial review
Enforcement Body
Prokuratura

Scope

This law applies to:

  • Gorodskoy Okrug
  • Gorodskoe Poselenie
  • Selskoe Poselenie
  • Municipalny Rayon

Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)

Sources & References

Notes

Russia's Federal Law 131-FZ of 2003 establishes the general principles of local self-government, governing representative bodies (Duma, Sovet Deputatov) at municipal level. Arts. 35–36 and corresponding provisions of regional laws require sessions to be open as a general rule. In practice, since 2022 the operating space for independent observers, civil society, and media has contracted significantly; many municipal decisions are made in effectively closed settings despite the statutory framework. Federal Law 33-FZ (2020) further centralised local governance. Statute seeded with clear enforcement-reality caveat.

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The specific rules for Russia may differ from this general description. Consult the full statute for details.