The сonstitution of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" (DPR) defines this new entity as a parliamentary republic.
“The DPR Supreme Council is the parliament of the republic, a
regularly operating supreme and only legislative (representative) body
of state power in the DPR,” according to the Constitution passed by the
DPR Supreme Council on May 14 and published on the republic’s official
website.
Under the document, the DPR Supreme Council appoints and dismisses
the Chairman of the Council of Ministers. The parliament also forms and
disbands the Council of Ministers, “save for such resolutions with
respect to the DPR Defense Minister, the head of the Security Service
and the Interior Minister.”
In addition, the Constitution allows the republic to join another
federative state. “In the event of the DPR joining a federative state,
the DPR becomes a rightful constituent region of the federative state,”
according to article 55 of the DPR Fundamental Law.
The status of the republic will be defined by an agreement between
the federative state and the DPR. It can be changed upon mutual consent
between the federative state and the DPR in accordance with the federal
constitutional law.
“The DPR territory at the time of joining the federative state shall
be defined by the borders of the former Donetsk region as part of the
Republic of Ukraine,” the document said.
The supreme statutory act establishes two official languages in the
republic: Russian and Ukrainian. “The Donetsk People’s Republic
recognizes the principle of cultural diversity and ensures equal rights
for cultural development and mutual enrichment,” the Constitution said.
It also recognizes the dominance of Orthodox Christianity above other
religions. “The primary and dominating faith in the DPR is the Orthodox
faith…,” the document said. At the same time, the law allows for the
freedom of religion.
