The Founding Father and The First President of Russia

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The president of the Russian Federation (Russian: Президент Российской Федерации, tr. Prezident Rossiyskoy Federatsii) is the executive head of state of Russia. The president is the chair of the Federal State Council and the supreme commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces. It is the highest office in Russia.
The modern incarnation of the office emerged from the president of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). In 1991, Boris Yeltsin was elected president of the RSFSR, becoming the first non-Communist Party member to be elected into a major Soviet political role. He played a crucial role in the dissolution of the Soviet Union which saw the transformation of the RSFSR into the Russian Federation. Following a series of scandals and doubts about his leadership, violence erupted across Moscow in the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis. As a result, a new constitution was implemented and the 1993 Russian Constitution remains in force today. The constitution establishes Russia as a semi-presidential system which separates the president of Russia from the Government of Russia which exercises executive power.In all cases where the president of the Russian Federation is unable to fulfill their duties, those duties shall be temporarily delegated to the prime minister of Russia, who becomes acting president of Russia.The powers of the presidency include: execution of federal law, appointing federal ministers, and members of the judiciary,  and negotiating treaties with foreign powers. The president also has the power to grant federal pardons and reprieves, and to convene and adjourn the Federal Assembly under extraordinary circumstances. The president also appoints the prime minister who directs domestic policy of the Russian Federation alongside the president.
The president is elected directly through a popular vote to a six-year term. Previously, the Constitution established term limit for the presidency restricting the officeholder to serve no more than two terms. However, this  limitation has since been overhauled in large part due to the constitutional amendments that were ratified in 2020. One of the amendments passed reset the terms of both Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev, allowing either to serve as president for a full two terms regardless of their previous terms. In all, three individuals have served four presidencies spanning six full terms. In May 2012, Vladimir Putin became the fourth president; he was re-elected in March 2018 and inaugurated in May to a six-year term. He will be eligible for re-election in 2024.

Emblem of Russia

To enrich your insights into presidential figures worldwide, also explore some prominent first presidents from other countries, such as Romania, Qatar and Portugal. Delving into the leadership journeys of these figures can offer valuable perspectives on their historical significance and pivotal roles in shaping global politics.

The office of the president of Russia is the highest authority in the Russian Federation. The holder is the federation's head of state and has formal presidency over the State Council as well as being the commander in chief of the Russian Armed Forces. The office  was introduced in 1918 after the February Revolution with the current office emerging after a referendum of 1991. During the Soviet period of history, Russia was de jure headed by collective bodies such as the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, since the Soviet theory of government denied the very necessity of the presidential office. The office of the President of the Soviet Union was introduced in 1990 during Mikhail Gorbachev's unsuccessful reforms of the Soviet Union's one-party communist state. Gorbachev became first and last president of the Union. His tenure was marked by the legal and political confrontation with Russia and other republics of the USSR which eventually led to their full independence in late 1991.

The official residence and symbol of the Russia President

10 Iconic Presidents Who Shaped Russia’s History

The President's Office in Russia
The President’s Office in Russia

Here is a list of 10 popular presidents from Russia:

  • Vladimir Putin
  • Boris Yeltsin
  • Mikhail Gorbachev
  • Dmitry Medvedev
  • Leonid Brezhnev
  • Nikita Khrushchev
  • Aleksandr Lukashenko
  • Viktor Yanukovych
  • Vladimir Zelensky
  • Aleksander Kwasniewski

1. Vladimir Putin: Vladimir Putin has been one of the most popular presidents in Russia due to his strong leadership and economic policies. He served as the President of Russia from 2000 to 2008, and again from 2012 to the present.

2. Boris Yeltsin: Boris Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999. He played a crucial role in the transition from the Soviet Union to an independent Russia.

3. Mikhail Gorbachev: Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the Soviet Union, serving as its President from 1985 to 1991. He implemented a series of reforms that led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union but also faced criticism for the economic turmoil that followed.

4. Dmitry Medvedev: Dmitry Medvedev served as the President of Russia from 2008 to 2012. He focused on modernizing the country’s infrastructure and diversifying the economy, but his presidency is often overshadowed by his close relationship with Vladimir Putin.

5. Leonid Brezhnev: Leonid Brezhnev was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982 and served as the President of the Soviet Union from 1977 to 1982. He is known for his policy of detente with the West.

6. Nikita Khrushchev: Nikita Khrushchev was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964. He oversaw the de-Stalinization of the country and advocated for a more peaceful coexistence with the West.

7. Aleksandr Lukashenko: Aleksandr Lukashenko has been the President of Belarus since 1994. While Belarus is not part of Russia, Lukashenko has maintained close relations with its leaders and has been a prominent figure in Russian politics.

8. Viktor Yanukovych: Viktor Yanukovych served as the President of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014. He had a complicated relationship with Russia, leaning towards closer ties but ultimately facing public backlash during the Euromaidan protests.

9. Vladimir Zelensky: Vladimir Zelensky is the current President of Ukraine, having assumed office in 2019. He is a former comedian and television producer who won the presidency on a platform of anti-corruption and government reform.

10. Aleksander Kwasniewski: Aleksander Kwasniewski served as the President of Poland from 1995 to 2005. While not a Russian president, his leadership and relations with Russian leaders made him a recognizable figure in Russian politics.

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