Sakhalin Oblast Duma internally elects a legislative representative to the Federation Council, which is the Upper House of Russia's legislative branch. The executive branch of Sakhalin works closely with the oblast's Duma. The executive branch is also known as the government of Sakhalin and is headed by the Governor, who is the highest ranking person in the oblast. The Governor is not to be confused with the Chairman of the Duma, who is head of the Duma only. Sakhalin Oblast Duma The Sakhalin Oblast Duma is the highest permanent and only legislative body of the Sakhalin Oblast. Together with the executive and judicial
Saint Petersburg City Duma crossing with Fontanka River. During the Soviet years, the Smolny effectively functioned as the Saint Petersburg City Hall. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Legislative Assembly made the Marie Palace its headquarters. Антонов П. А. Городская дума на Невском // Диалог. 1989. № 31. С. 21-26. Saint Petersburg City Duma Saint Petersburg City Duma was established in 1785 in the course of Catherine the Great's municipal reform. Emperor Paul replaced it by the so-called Ratusha, but his son, Alexander I, had the Duma restored four years later. The next emperor, Nicholas I, expanded the institution from six to