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On June 25, 2023 Viktor Sheinis, Dr. of Science (Economics), Professor, member of the Academic Council of IMEMO, passed away.

An authoritative scientist, public and political figure, member of the Supreme Soviet of RSFSR and deputy of the State Duma of  the Russian Federation of two convocations, Victor Sheinis was known as one of the authors of the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Viktor Sheinis actively participated in political life, did a lot for promotion of democratic reforms, was a member of the Federal Political Committee of "Yabloko" party.

Viktor Sheinis joined IMEMO in 1977 and worked at the Institute with interruptions related to his parliamentary duties until 2023. 

After successfully defending his doctoral dissertation in 1982, he quickly moved into the forefront of Russian researchers on the problems of developing countries, and later, on the problems of Europe and modern Russia. He is the author of more than 500 scientific and journalistic works.

After his return to the Institute in the 2000s, Viktor Sheinis joined the Center for Socio-Economic and Political Studies (CESPI), worked as a Сhief Research Fellow and was involved in the study of development trends in the European Union and Russia. The history of Russian parliamentarism was also at the center of his scientific interests. The large-scale study “The Rise and Fall of Parliament: Critical Years in Russian Politics (1985-1993)”, published in 2005, in which the personal experience of the participant of the events did not overshadow but, on the contrary, made more convincing the scientific analysis of the critical period in Russian history, aroused great interest in the scientific and political community. The fundamental work of Victor Sheinis “Power and Law: Politics and Constitution in Russia” (2015) summed up his many years of research in the field of political history of Russia. 

In all the multifaceted activities of Victor Sheinis, a breadth of outlook and scientific honesty were manifested. His articles, speeches at conferences and public lectures were distinguished by a clearly expressed authorial position and clarity of conclusions. 

The staff of the Institute knew Viktor Leonidovich Sheinis not only as an authoritative scientist, but also as a bright personality, a man of great civil courage, who combined gentleness and kindness in his relations with colleagues with high integrity. This is how we will remember him.