The political framework of Russia

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President: Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (since 7 May 2012 ; re-elected in March 2024) - United Russia
Prime Minister: Mikhail Vladimirovich MISHUSTIN (since 16 January 2020) - United Russia

Next Election Dates

State Duma: September 2026

Main Political Parties

In Russia, the powers of the executive were greatly increased by the adoption of a new constitution in 1993. The political apparatus is overwhelmingly in the hands of the United Russia party. While opposition parties are authorised, there is little chance for these parties to wield any real power. The main parties are:

- United Russia: centrist, remains the largest and seemingly most popular party in Russia, self-declared focus on 'Russian conservatism'
- Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF): left-wing, seeks to establish modern socialism
- A Just Russia (CP): centre-left, ally of United Russia
- Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR): far-right, opposes communism and capitalism, self-described as centrist, an extreme right nationalist political party
- New People: liberal, centrist.

Executive Power

The President is the Head of State, elected by universal suffrage for a six-year term since 2012 (previously four years). He is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and holds extensive executive powers, making him the real center of power in the country. The Prime Minister is the Head of Government. He is appointed by the President, subject to approval by the lower house of Parliament (the State Duma), and manages the everyday business of the country but operates under the President's significant influence, as the President can dismiss him and directly shape major policy decisions.

Legislative Power

Russia has a two-chamber legislative power. The Parliament, called the Federal Assembly, is composed of: the Council of the Federation (upper chamber), which has 170 seats. Its members are appointed by regional governors and legislative institutions for terms without a fixed limit. The State Duma (lower chamber) has 450 seats, and its members are elected by direct universal suffrage through a mixed electoral system for a five-year term (since 2011, previously four years). The State Duma now includes three representatives from the "Republic of Crimea," while the Federation Council includes two from the "Republic of Crimea" and two from the "Federal City of Sevastopol," regions that Russia occupied and claimed to annex from Ukraine in 2014, a move widely unrecognized by the international community.