Understanding Russia's Political System

With a hundred years of Communist rule and ongoing political scheming, understanding Russia's political system can seem like a daunting challenge. But for anyone with a passion for international affairs, understanding Russia's current and historical political structure is a critical aspect of being well-informed in the modern world.

In this post, we will take a look at Russia's political system, the various branches of government, and the major players on the national stage. We will also explore the history of Russia's political system, some of the key events in its transition to the democracy it is today, and some of the key players who have shaped the nation's politics.

Russia's Governmental Structure

Russia is a semi-presidential Federal Republic, meaning that while the Head of State is a president, prime ministers and other governmental leaders also have considerable decision-making power. As per the Russian Constitution, power is shared between the president, the prime minister, and the members of the federal assembly.   The president is elected by the people directly and serves for a maximum of two six-year terms. The president is both the head of government and the head of state, giving them direct control over governmental matters, in addition to the appointment of ministers.

The Prime Minister, also appointed by the President, is the head of the government and is responsible for the direction and performance of the government. The Prime Minister is also responsible for introducing bills to the federal assembly for approval.
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The Federal Assembly is the legislative body of Russia and consists of two chambers: the Federal Council (upper chamber) and the State Duma (lower chamber). The Federal Council consists of 178 members responsible for providing counterbalance to the legislative body. The State Duma is the primary legislative body, composed of 450 members who are elected by the people.

Key Events in Russia's Political History

Russia's transition to a modern democracy has been a long and difficult journey but it has also yielded some impressive results. The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked a major shift in the country's political philosophy and the following years saw several notable events that would shape the country's course for the foreseeable future.

In 1993 for instance, Yeltsin took drastic action by disbanding the Supreme Soviet, which had been the equivalent of the country's parliament. Later, in the same year, a referendum was held to enact a new constitution, which introduced a new two-chamber Federal Assembly and a stronger presidency.

The years 1998 and 1999 saw several important changes within the political landscape of Russia. An income tax was imposed in 1998, followed by the formation of an officially-recognized opposition party and a new election law that was designed to bring more fairness to the process.

Major Political Players in Russia

The political system in Russia is constantly evolving and the major players involved have great influence on both their country’s history and their nation’s future. Here are a few players each with their own political goals and motivations:

Vladimir Putin is currently the President of Russia and is serving his fourth term in that position. Having been in power since 2000, Putin is a controversial figure; while many see him as a leader who has stabilized the economy and brought political stability to the nation, others worry about his autocratic tendencies and overreaching power.   Dmitry Medvedev is the Prime Minister of Russia, appointed in 2012 by Putin. Medvedev is seen as a more liberal figure than his predecessor, although chided for his seeming inability to act against Putin’s wishes.   Alexei Navalny is a popular opposition leader and anti-corruption activist whose activism has garnered international attention as well as domestic respect. Navalny has been a major force in bringing attention to the issue of corruption in Russian politics, but his role as an outspoken critic of the Kremlin has seen him targeted by the government on multiple occasions.   Gennady Zyuganov is a Russian politician, who is the leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, and has run in five presidential elections. Zyuganov is a vocal critic of the Kremlin, and popular among Russia’s conservative electorate.  
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Conclusion

Russia's political system is an ever-changing landscape, full of internecine struggles and power-plays amongst powerful leaders. Understanding the structure of government, the major players on the political stage, and the events that have shaped the nation's history is a key part of understanding one of the world's most powerful and influential countries.