1993 Russian government referendum

A four-part referendum was held in Russia on 25 April 1993.^[1] Voters were asked questions on confidence in President Boris Yeltsin, support for the government's socio-economic policies and early elections for both the presidency and parliament.^[1] The referendum was initiated by the Congress of People's Deputies, which stipulated that Yeltsin would need to obtain 50% of the electorate, rather than 50% of valid votes. However, the Constitutional Court ruled that the president required only a simple majority on two issues: confidence in him, and economic and social policy; though he would still need the support of more than half the electorate in order to call new parliamentary and presidential elections.

Three of the four questions – confidence in Yeltsin, support for the government's socio-economic policies and early elections for the Congress of People's Deputies – were approved by a majority of participating voters, while voters rejected the proposal of holding early presidential elections.^[2] However, the proposal for early elections for the Congress of People's Deputies failed due to the quorum of 50% of all registered voters not being met.

^ ^a ^b Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1642 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
^ Nohlen & Stöver, p1647

[NS-1] Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1642 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7

[N2-2] Nohlen & Stöver, p1647

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[2]