Legal nature and public authority of the Sirius federal territory

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Abstract

The article examines the novel institution of federal territories within Russian statehood, introduced by 2020 Constitutional amendments and operationalized through the Sirius federal territory. This first domestic experience reveals distinctive features in public authority structure compared to both traditional Russian governance and foreign analogues. Critical analysis is essential for refining related legislation. The study elucidates the legal nature, characteristics, rationale, and governance apparatus of federal territories, with particular attention to international practices (USA, Australia, India). It analyzes Sirius power structures and its relationships with federal and Krasnodar Krai authorities. The research draws on Russian/foreign legislation, scientific literature, and Constitutional Court practice, employing systemic, analytical, classification, deductive, and formal-legal methods. Key findings include: (1) diverse creation factors determine varying autonomy levels (primary classification criterion); (2) “Sirius” embodies federal-territorial authority; (3) despite public-legal independence, federal territories retain administrative-territorial status within constituent entities (dual status).

About the authors

Marat S. Basiev

North Ossetian State University

Author for correspondence.
Email: m.basi@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0008-2962-2045
SPIN-code: 5390-3386

Candidate of Legal Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Theory and History of State and Law

44-46 Vatutina Str., Vladikavkaz, 362025, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania

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