President of Russia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of the Russian Federation |
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Presidential emblem
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| Presidential Administration of Russia | |
| Style | Mr President (informal) Comrade Supreme Commander (military) His Excellency (diplomatic) |
| Member of |
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| Residence |
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| Seat | Kremlin Senate |
| Appointer | Direct popular vote |
| Term length | Six years, renewable once |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Russia |
| Precursor | President of the Soviet Union |
| Formation |
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| First holder | Boris Yeltsin |
| Deputy | Prime Minister |
| Salary | 8,900,000₽ or US$120,000 per annum est. |
| Website | президент.рф (in Russian) eng.kremlin.ru (in English) |
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The President of Russia is the official leader of Russia. This person is the head of state and the Commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces. It is the most important job in the country.
The idea for this role came from the president of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). In 1991, Boris Yeltsin was chosen as the first president of the RSFSR. He was the first person not from the Communist Party to hold such a big role in the Soviet Union. He helped change the RSFSR into the Russian Federation when the Soviet Union broke apart.
After some challenges, a new constitution was put in place in 1993. This constitution is still used today. It makes Russia a semi-presidential system. This means the president is separate from the government, which handles the daily running of the country. If the president cannot do their job, the prime minister of Russia temporarily takes over.
The president has many important duties. They make sure federal laws are followed. They also choose federal ministers and judges. The president works with other countries to make agreements. They can also forgive people who have committed federal crimes. The president can call or end meetings of the Federal Assembly in special situations. They also choose the prime minister, who helps guide Russia's policies at home.
The president is chosen by people voting directly. They serve for six years. Before, a president could only serve two terms in a row. But changes were made to the constitution in 2020. These changes allow a president to serve two full terms, even if they served before. So far, three people have been president, serving a total of six full terms. Vladimir Putin became president in May 2012. He was re-elected in March 2018 and again in March 2024 for two more six-year terms.
Contents
History of the Presidency
After the monarchy ended in 1917, there were plans to create a democratic republic with a president. This was in January 1918. The president would have been the head of state, chosen for one year by parliament. However, the assembly was dissolved, and no president was ever elected under this plan.
Boris Yeltsin's Time as President
Boris Yeltsin became president just before the Soviet Union fell apart. In May 1990, he was chosen as the head of the parliament for the Russian SFSR. On 12 June 1991, Yeltsin was elected president of the Russian SFSR. He was the first president chosen by popular vote.
However, Yeltsin faced many challenges. There were economic problems and political issues in Russia during the 1990s. His time as president was difficult for many people.
Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev
Vladimir Putin became president in 2000. During his time, Russia's economy improved a lot. The country's wealth grew, poverty decreased, and average salaries increased.
Dmitry Medvedev became the first deputy prime minister in 2005. He was also the head of Gazprom, a big energy company. In 2007, he was supported by the main political party to run for president. He won the election in 2008. Medvedev chose Putin to be his prime minister. In 2012, Putin ran for president again, won, and then appointed Medvedev as prime minister.
How a President is Chosen
Who Can Be President?
To become president, a person must be a citizen of Russia. They must be at least 35 years old. They also need to have lived in Russia for at least 25 years. A candidate cannot have, or have ever had, foreign citizenship or a foreign residence permit.
The Russian constitution says a president can serve two terms. Before, it was two terms in a row. But changes in 2020 mean a president can serve two terms in total, even if they were not consecutive.
The Election Process
The Federation Council officially calls for presidential elections. The election day is usually the second Sunday of the month. The whole country is the voting area for the president.
Political parties in the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) can suggest candidates. A candidate not from a parliamentary party needs 100,000 signatures to run.
The president is elected every six years. If no candidate wins more than half the votes in the first round, a second round is held. This second round is between the two candidates who received the most votes. The last presidential election was in 2024, and the next one will be in 2030.
Taking the Oath of Office
The president's inauguration happens six years after the last one, usually on May 7th. If an early election is held, the new president takes the oath 30 days after the results are announced.
Before starting their job, the president must say an oath. This oath promises to protect the rights of people, follow the constitution, and serve the country.
When the President Cannot Serve
If the president dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the prime minister temporarily takes over. They act as president until a new president is chosen.
Presidential Symbols
After the president takes their oath, they receive special symbols of their office. These symbols show their important role and are used on special occasions.
Chain of Office
The first symbol is a special chain. It has a red cross in the middle with the Russian coat of arms. The words "Benefit, Honor and Glory" are written on the back of the cross. This chain is kept inside the Kremlin and is used only for certain events.
Presidential Flag
The presidential flag is a square version of the Russian flag. It has the Russian coat of arms in the center. Golden fringe is added to the flag. Copies of this flag are used in the president's office and when the president travels in Russia. This flag is the most common way to show that the Russian President is present.
Special Constitution Copy
The president also has a special copy of the Russian Constitution. This copy is used during the inauguration ceremony. It has a hard, red cover with gold writing and a silver image of the Russian coat of arms. This special copy is kept in the Presidential Library.
Presidential Fanfare
The Presidential Fanfare is a special piece of music. It is played only when the President of Russia enters a place or an event.
President's Powers and Duties
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Protecting the Constitution
The president makes sure that all laws and rules in Russia follow the country's Constitution and federal laws. They also ensure that human rights and freedoms are protected.
Choosing Officials
The president plays a big part in choosing important officials. They suggest people for top government jobs. These people must then be approved by parliament. The president suggests judges for the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court. They also suggest the prosecutor general. The president also suggests the head of the Central Bank to the State Duma.
Making Laws
The president has the right to suggest new laws. They can also sign bills into law or veto them. If the president vetoes a bill, it means they do not approve it.
The president can stop laws made by local governments if those laws go against the Constitution or federal laws. They can also stop laws that violate human rights.
The president can also make their own rules called decrees. These decrees must follow existing laws and the Constitution. Each year, the president gives a speech to the Federal Assembly about the country's situation and its policies.
Working with Other Countries
The president has many rights to guide Russia's foreign policy. They decide Russia's stance in international matters. They represent Russia in other countries. The president also holds talks and signs agreements with foreign nations. They choose and remove Russia's representatives in other countries and international groups. The president signs international treaties.
Commander-in-Chief
The President of Russia is the "Supreme Commander-in-Chief" of the Russian Armed Forces. This means they have the final say over the military. The president gives military orders, sets defense policies, and chooses the top leaders of the armed forces.
The president can also order the military to prepare for war. They can declare martial law in certain areas. They also oversee the country's defense industry.
Giving Awards
An important ceremonial role of the president is giving out state awards. These awards are the highest way to recognize people for their service to Russia. This includes service in defense, government, economy, science, culture, and more. The president can create new awards and presents them in official ceremonies.
Presidential Residences
The main place where the president works is the Kremlin Senate building in the Moscow Kremlin. The president can also use the Grand Kremlin Palace for official events and meetings.
Since 2000, the president's main home is Novo-Ogaryovo. The president also has several vacation homes outside of Moscow. These include places in Tver Oblast, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, and other regions across Russia.
Political Party Affiliation
No Russian president has been a member of a political party while in office. In 2012, Vladimir Putin said that a president should be a figure who brings together all political groups and citizens.
Presidential Transport
The Special Purpose Garage (SPG) provides transport services for the Russian president. This includes cars and other vehicles.
- Limousines
- Aurus Senat – the main car
- Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard
- Escort cars
- Mercedes-Benz
- Chevrolet
- Honorary escort (motorcycles)
The airline company Rossiya Airlines provides air travel for the president.
- Airplanes for long-distance travel
- Ilyushin Il-96-300PU (main aircraft)
- Ilyushin Il-62M
- Dassault Falcon 900
- Helicopters
The presidential aircraft looks similar to regular Rossiya planes. However, it has the Russian coat of arms or the presidential standard on its tail. In 2013, a special helipad was built in the Moscow Kremlin for the president's helicopter.
After Being President
Laws have been made to provide support for former presidents and their families.
- A former president receives a monthly payment for life. This payment is 75% of the current president's salary.
- If a president dies, their family members receive a monthly allowance.
- A former president has special protection. They cannot be held responsible for actions they took while they were president. They also cannot be arrested or questioned for those actions.
Since 1999, all living former presidents get a pension, an office, and staff. The Federal Protective Service protects all former presidents, their spouses, and children until age 16.
In 2020, the Constitution was changed to give former presidents immunity. This means they are protected from legal action, unless they were removed from office by impeachment. Also, former presidents can become senators for life.
Laws also allow for "centers of historical heritage" for former presidents. These centers study and share the history of Russia's presidents. The first such center, dedicated to Boris Yeltsin, opened in 2015 in Yekaterinburg. There are plans to create centers for Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev in the future.
List of Presidents
| Name | Term of office | Length of term |
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| Boris Yeltsin | 1991–1999 | 8 years, 5 days |
| Vladimir Putin (1st and 2nd terms) | 2000–2008 | 8 years, 0 days |
| Dmitry Medvedev | 2008–2012 | 4 years, 0 days |
| Vladimir Putin (3rd, 4th and 5th terms) | 2012–present | 13 years, 42 days |
See also
- List of presidents of Russia
- List of Russian presidential candidates
- List of heads of state of Russia
- First Lady of Russia
- Prime Minister of Russia
- President of the Soviet Union
- Russian presidential administration
