.jpg)
The Federation Council (Russian: Совет Федерации) is the upper house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, the parliament of the Russian Federation. Each of the 89 federal subjects of Russia – consisting of 24 republics, 48 oblasts, nine krais, three federal cities, four autonomous okrugs, and one autonomous oblast – sends two senators to the Council, for a total membership of 178 senators.[1][a]
Of the two senators from each federal subject, one represents the subject's legislative (representative) authority and the other the subject's executive authority.[1] The current structure of the Federation Council was established through federal law on 8 August 2000. The senator representing the executive authority is appointed by the chief government official in that constituent entity, in effect the region's governor or head. The senator representing the legislative authority is elected by that body for the duration of its term. Senators are appointed to serve on a full-time basis.[1]
