Loris-Melikov's constitutional reform
"Loris-Melikov's constitution" () was a planned but unimplemented political reform suggested by count Mikhail Loris-Melikov. It was introduced to the Russian Emperor, Alexander II, in January 1881. Even though the reform contained the word "constitution", the project suggested only timid steps towards a constitutional monarchy. The main idea was to make people cooperate with the government. For this, Loris-Melikov suggested that they allow a few representatives of the commons to be presented in the legislative institutions with the granted advisory rights. The right of legislative initiative was supposed to be retained by the monarch. Despite the fact that the project was later known as a "constitutional reform", in reality, it contained nothing that could justify this label. When it was presented to the emperor, the author emphasized that his proposal had nothing in common with the "western constitutional formats". The project was presented to Alexander II on 28 January 1881, and was unanimously approved on the 16th of February by the Exclusive consultation (Alexander II also participated). On 1 March 1881, the emperor told Loris-Melikov that the project would be discussed in 4 days by the Council of Ministers. Two hours later, Alexander II was assassinated. The new emperor, Alexander