Search for Constitutional Identity in Post-Soviet Countries

Abstract

More than thirty years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, post-Soviet states continue to search for their own constitutional identity, seeking to form stable foundations of national statehood. These processes often correspond to constitutional reforms that influence the development of the state and society, which necessitates the analysis of constitutional and national legislation within the framework of research into the problem of searching for and forming constitutional identity. The aim of the work is a comprehensive analysis of constitutional reforms in post-Soviet states through the lens of constitutional identity formation, as well as the identification of common trends and national specificities of this process. The research methodology is based on comparative legal, historical-legal, and systemic-structural methods, which allowed for a comprehensive examination of the subject matter and a holistic approach to the research objectives. The results highlight the stages and characteristics of constitutional reforms in the post-Soviet space, aimed primarily at strengthening the national component, consolidating power, and expanding legal instruments based on the concepts of national security and constitutional identity. The conclusion notes that the formation of constitutional identity requires not formal constitutional changes, but the creation of stable constitutional institutions that ensure genuine protection of citizens’ rights, judicial independence, constitutional review, and a system of separation of powers. Based on these findings, the author notes the need to strengthen constitutional review, bring clarity and legal certainty to the concept of national security, and create common constitutional values and identities within regional integration associations.