ABSTRACT

The December 1995 legislative elections resulted again in an opposition triumph. 'The outcome of the election was a vote of no confidence in the president's leadership'. In the international arena, there was a positive event for Russia. Despite its violation of human rights in Chechnya, it was admitted to the Council of Europe. Electoral considerations played a role in the preparation, timing, and conclusion of this treaty more than in any previous cases. At the outset of the campaign, Boris Yeltsin was given little chance of reelection, and his advisors were in panic. Even before Yeltsin officially announced his intent to run again, mysterious survey centers opened in the Kremlin, unofficially called Russian National President Election Headquarters. Amending the Constitution before or in the midst of the presidential election appeared to be quite a risky enterprise, especially in terms of a possible negative international reaction.