4th State Duma 4th State Duma The State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation the 4th convocation (Russian: Государственная Дума Федерального Собрания Российской Федерации IV созыва) is the former convocation of the legislative branch of the State Duma, Lower House of the Russian Parliament. The 4th convocation meets at the State Duma building in Moscow (however, several meetings took place at the Tauride Palace in St. Petersburg), worked from December 7, 2003 to December 24, 2007. The 4th State Duma's composition was based upon the results of the 2003 parliamentary election. Of the twenty–four parties participating in the elections, only
Duma civil liberties, provide for broad participation in the State Duma, and endow the Duma with legislative and oversight powers. However, Nicholas II was determined to retain his autocratic power. Just before the creation of the Duma in May 1906, the Tsar issued the Fundamental Laws. It stated in part that the tsar's ministers could not be appointed by, and were not responsible to, the Duma, thus denying responsible government at the executive level. Furthermore, the tsar had the power to dismiss the Duma and announce new elections whenever he wished. At this first meeting of the Duma members proposed that