Who was the president of the USSR and the Russian Federation. reference

April 23, 2009 marks two years since the death of the first President of Russia, Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin.

With his passing, life ended an entire era V modern history Russia. Naturally, it is extremely difficult to objectively evaluate this time - too short a period, by political standards, separates us from these years, and too much is still shrouded in secrecy.

B. N. Yeltsin at the end of the 1980s became a recognized leader for the majority of Russians. Compared to the rest of the partyocracy, Yeltsin looked extremely advantageous: energetic, bright, charismatic, he was not afraid to take fire and take responsibility in critical situations, being the embodiment of everything new and progressive.

Let us recall the main facts of the biography of the first Russian President, which are closely intertwined with the history of our country.

February 1, 1931 Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin was born into a peasant family in the village of Butka, Sverdlovsk region. His grandfather was dispossessed, his father spent three years in camps on charges of sabotage, his uncle was shot as an “enemy of the people.”

1955– end of the Ural Polytechnic Institute. After which Boris Yeltsin worked for three decades in the Sverdlovsk region. Initially, as a foreman of the Uraltyazhtrubstroy trust, and since 1963– chief engineer and head of the Sverdlovsk house-building plant. WITH 1968-88- at party work. Since 1976– First Secretary of the Sverdlovsk Regional Committee.

In April 1985, when M. S. Gorbachev began to assemble a new team, Yeltsin was assigned to work in the capital and headed the construction department of the CPSU Central Committee, became secretary of the Central Committee, and in December 1985– First Secretary of the Moscow City Party Committee instead of Viktor Grishin. He quickly gained popularity not only among Muscovites, but among all Russians.

There is an opinion that the appointment was connected with Gorbachev’s desire to deal a powerful blow to the “Grishin mafia”, to reveal the rottenness of the old regime and thereby create nice background for the planned transformations. In fact, Yeltsin was taken like a bulldozer, clearing away rubble. But Yeltsin’s energy and pressure seemed to frighten Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev himself. They were too different - the impulsive and energetic Yeltsin and the restrained Gorbachev, calculating his every step. Therefore, it was probably difficult for them to work “in one team.”

October 21, 1987 and at the plenum of the CPSU Central Committee, Yeltsin made an accusatory speech against Yegor Ligachev. In his person, he accused a significant part of the conservative party leadership, also criticized the work of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Central Committee, expressed dissatisfaction with the low pace of transformation in society and groveling before the General Secretary and asked for resignation from the Politburo.

In response, Gorbachev accused Yeltsin of “political immaturity” and “absolute irresponsibility.” AND November 11, 1987 At the plenum of the Moscow City Committee, Yeltsin was removed from the post of first secretary of the Moscow City Committee of the CPSU, after which he ended up in the hospital.

In December 1987. Yeltsin was appointed to the post of first deputy chairman of the USSR State Construction Committee.

Spring 1988 At the plenum of the CPSU Central Committee, he was removed from the list of candidates for membership in the Politburo, but remained a member of the Central Committee.

In June 1988 At the 19th Party Conference, Yeltsin criticized the CPSU and spoke in favor of extending glasnost to the internal life of the party.

In March 1989 B. N. Yeltsin was elected people's deputy of the USSR, and then a member of the union parliament and its presidium.

In 1990 Boris Nikolaevich becomes a people's deputy of the RSFSR. In his election program Yeltsin placed the main emphasis on the fight against the privileges of the party nomenklatura.

May 29, 1990 Yeltsin was first elected on an alternative basis as chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR.

June 12, 1991 elected by popular vote as the first President of the Russian Federation, receiving more than 50% of the votes in the first round. These were the first popular presidential elections in Russian history. From Yeltsin’s speech: “For the first time in the thousand-year history of Russia, the President solemnly swears allegiance to his fellow citizens. There is no higher honor than that which is bestowed upon a person by the people, there is no higher honor than the position to which citizens of the state are elected... I am optimistic about the future and am ready for energetic action. Great Russia rises from his knees! We will definitely turn it into a prosperous, democratic, peace-loving, legal and sovereign state.”

One of Yeltsin's first presidential decrees was on the liquidation of party organizations in enterprises.

August 19-21, 1991 Yeltsin led the fight against the attempted coup of the State Emergency Committee and rescued Mikhail Gorbachev from Foros. Unite around Yeltsin democratic forces Russia.

August 22, 1991 By his decree, Yeltsin suspended and then banned the activities of the CPSU.

In October 1991 Yeltsin headed the new government of the Russian Federation and proclaimed a program of radical reforms, which meant the country's transition to a market and democracy.

December 8, 1991 Boris Yeltsin, together with the leaders of Ukraine and Belarus, signed the Bialowieza Agreement, which led to the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Soon the majority of the union republics joined the Commonwealth, signing the Alma-Ata Declaration on December 21. Let us recall that by this time some republics had already announced their desire to secede from the USSR.

From Yeltsin’s speech “I have never advocated the secession of Russia, I am for the sovereignty of the Union, for the equality of all republics, for their independence, for the republics to be strong and thereby strengthen our Union.”

In some regions of Russia, after the collapse of the USSR, separatist sentiments intensified. Thus, in Chechnya they did not recognize the sovereignty of Russia on its territory. Boris Yeltsin managed to convince the heads of the regions to sign the Federative Agreement; on March 31, 1992, it was signed by the president and the heads of the regions (except for Tatarstan and Chechnya), and on April 10, it was included in the Constitution of Russia.

Main results of 1991 are considered: abolition of censorship in the press, building market economy, introduction and consistent preservation of democratic freedoms, suspension, and later a complete ban on the activities of the CPSU.

At the beginning of 1992 The President signed a decree “On Free Trade”. This decree actually legalized entrepreneurship in the form of trade and led to the fact that many people took up trade, which largely helped eliminate the commodity shortage.

From the memoirs of Yegor Gaidar: “Driving through Lubyanka Square, I saw something like a long line stretching along the store.” Child's world" Imagine my surprise when I learned that these were not buyers at all! Clutching in their hands several packs of cigarettes or a couple of cans of canned food, woolen socks and mittens, a bottle of vodka or a child’s blouse, and attaching a decree “On Free Trade” cut out of a newspaper to their clothes with a pin, people offered all sorts of small goods... If I had any doubts - Whether the entrepreneurial spirit of the Russian people survived after seventy years of communism, then from that day on they disappeared.”

Main events of 1992: lowering prices, filling store shelves, privatization of apartments (millions of citizens became owners of their homes for free), voucher privatization. The emergence of a market economy has had a significant impact on life. Gone is the concept of “scarcity”, endless queues in stores, bribes that had to be given in order to purchase scarce goods and goods foreign production. Due to the emergence of competition, the quality of goods and services offered has noticeably improved, and the opportunity to choose has emerged. It became possible to freely buy and sell currency in banks or exchange offices, and therefore to freely travel abroad.

April 25, 1993 and in the all-Russian referendum, more than 50% of citizens who took part in the vote expressed confidence in the President of Russia.

One of Boris Yeltsin's most important achievements is the adoption of a new democratic Constitution. However, the process of adopting the Constitution took place in the most difficult conditions. The Supreme Council of Russia took a confrontational position towards the president and did not want to adopt a new Constitution. Instead, it was proposed to limit ourselves to introducing a huge number (about 400) of amendments to the previously existing Constitution of 1978, which would lead to serious contradictions between individual articles of the basic law. In response to this, the Russian President convened a Constitutional Conference to develop a new Constitution for Russia.

As a result of many months of work, a draft of a new Constitution was developed, which, in general, was a compromise for all political forces of society. During this period, the confrontation between the executive and legislative powers reached its highest intensity. The Supreme Council was categorically against the new Constitution, since it deprived it of its sovereignty and caused serious blow according to the established system of partyocracy.

September 21, 1993, as a result of ongoing contradictions slowing down the reform process, President Yeltsin decided to dissolve the Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Soviet of Russia. However, members of the Supreme Council announced their decision to remain and work in the White House. October 3, 1993 Led by Vice President A. Rutsky and Chairman of the Supreme Council R. Khasbulatov, they blocked themselves in the “White House” and called on the people to go and defend “ The White house" They actually provoked the people into a civil war.

At the call of Rutskoi, supporters of the parliament, who received weapons, stormed the Moscow City Hall building, and then unsuccessfully tried to seize the television center building in Ostankino. The only way out of this situation was a forceful solution to the conflict. And Yeltsin, by his decree, introduced in Moscow state of emergency, which lasted two weeks. In the morning October 4, 1993. The troops completely surrounded the house of the Supreme Council and continued tank shelling until mid-day. A curfew was introduced in Moscow. At about 2:30 p.m., a group of people with white flags came out of the former parliament building. Thus, the coup attempt was suppressed.

Later, Yeltsin began dissolving Soviets at all levels and called elections to a new representative body of power - the Federal Assembly.

In December 1993. Yeltsin was elected chairman of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

In December 1994 by decree of Yeltsin, troops were sent into Chechnya (later these facts became the main accusations in an attempt to begin the impeachment procedure of the president in May 1999).

July 3, 1996 Boris Yeltsin was again elected head of state, receiving the support of almost 54% of voters in the second round.

July 6, 1996 Yeltsin signed Decree No. 810 (extended on June 27, 2000), which states that officials are obliged to consider all critical publications in the media within three days and give a response within two weeks from the date of publication. Failure to comply with this decree this information should have been transferred to the Prosecutor's Office (in 2005, this Decree was not extended).

In November 1996 Yeltsin underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. WITH January 1999 Yeltsin experienced dangerous exacerbations of illness almost every month.

August 17, 1998. The government announced the devaluation of the ruble. The exchange rate of the national currency fell sharply.

December 31, 1999 Yeltsin announced his resignation, resigning early as head of state. He was the only head Russian state, who voluntarily left power, and the only leader of our country who asked for forgiveness from his compatriots for his mistakes. It was on this day that, leaving the Kremlin, he said famous phrase"Take care of Russia!"

April 23, 2007 At the age of 77, the first President of Russia, Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin, died suddenly. The head of the medical center for the presidential administration called the cause of death the progression of cardiovascular multiple organ failure. As his family and friends say, he always took everything to heart: difficulties and failures in becoming new Russia, misunderstanding, slander from enemies and departure of friends, as well as dissatisfaction with one’s own efforts and capabilities.

During Yeltsin's reign, foreign policy was aimed at recognizing Russia as sovereign state and had a course, on the one hand, to improve relations with Western countries and overcome the consequences of “ cold war“, on the other hand, to build new relations with the former Soviet republics, most of which became members of the CIS.

Boris Nikolayevich considered strengthening Russian-American relations one of the main tasks of foreign policy. Took part in 15 Russian-American meetings at top level(in four - with President George H. W. Bush, in 11 - with President Bill Clinton).

The funeral service for Boris Nikolaevich took place in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (it was this Temple that he most often visited in last years his life, going from an atheist to Orthodox Christian), where, according to Interfax, about 5 thousand people came to say goodbye to Yeltsin. According to the same source, for last 24 hours Before the funeral, more than 25 thousand people said goodbye to Yeltsin.

Patriarch Alexy II said in his address: “Our Fatherland, Russia, today lives a full life, returns to its original traditions. This is also evidenced by the fact that for the first time in more than a hundred years we are saying goodbye to the head of state in the temple. ... At the turn of the eighties and nineties, he became a witness and participant in a historical turning point in the life of Russia. At this time, the will of our people to free life began to manifest itself more and more. Boris Nikolaevich felt this will and helped it come true. Being strong personality, he accepted responsibility for the fate of Russia in a difficult time of radical change. ... Someday history will give the deceased an impartial assessment.”

A similar ceremony has not taken place in Russia for 113 years since the death of Alexander III.

On the day of the funeral, Boris Nikolaevich’s wife Naina Iosifovna recalled how difficult it was for her to be the president’s wife: “Family was in second place. In 1989, after the next congress, he said: “We must save Russia.” I was scared by these words.”

In an interview she gave on the anniversary of Boris Nikolayevich’s death to Komsomolskaya Pravda, there were the following words: “Being president is a heavy burden that weighs terribly. And he is responsible for all the country's problems. It can't be easy for the rest of my life an ordinary person... You know, I often remember the words of Boris Nikolaevich: “I want only one thing: to live to see the renaissance of Russia.” This was his dream.”

Looking through media publications for the end of April 2007, you can read numerous posthumous statements from contemporaries:

Vladimir Ryzhkov, State Duma deputy(under Yeltsin, head of the “Our Home is Russia” faction in the State Duma):

– Yeltsin’s death is the departure of a figure who played a huge role not only in Russian, but also in world history. Under him, Russia aroused great interest in the world community. Under him, Russia became a member of the G8.

Yuri Shmidt, human rights lawyer:

“We haven’t yet realized what he did.” We are indebted to him for all the beginnings of democracy.

Anatoly Chubais, Chairman of the Board of RAO UES of Russia:

– I believe that Boris Nikolaevich did the absolutely impossible. He led us from unfreedom to freedom. From a country in which lying was simply everyday, everyday and universal - from the General Secretary of the Central Committee to any meeting - to a country that is trying to live by the truth. If you try to understand which figures in the history of Russia are comparable to Boris Nikolaevich in terms of the volume of work done, perhaps Peter the Great. Maybe Lenin and Stalin combined, only both with a minus sign, and he with a plus sign. And all this, of course, was passed through. Nobody knows what it cost him.

Valentina Matvienko, governor of St. Petersburg, served in the diplomatic service during the presidency of Boris Yeltsin and for two years as deputy prime minister of the Russian government:

Boris Yeltsin is a man who, of course, made a huge contribution, a personal contribution to the formation of civil society, democratic initiatives and a market economy. Everything that began in the post-perestroika period is all connected with the name of Boris Yeltsin. Of course, there were many mistakes, but it’s always easy to judge from the outside. I want to emphasize once again that it takes time to assess the scale and role of this personality in the history of Russia.

Oleg Basilashvili, National artist THE USSR:

“He began the hardest thing - the beginning of reforms in a totalitarian state. He made us believe that we are free people. He made us believe that our future depends on us, and not on the good tsar, general secretary or president. The reforms that he began with Gaidar were interrupted. Together they were able, figuratively speaking, to name several letters from the entire alphabet: A and B... A great man has left us.

Yuri Vdovin, human rights activist:

“In the entire history of his reign, he has not fired a single journalist or editor.

Boris Nemtsov, one of the leaders of the SPS party (under Yeltsin, deputy prime minister of the government, then on the sidelines he was called Yeltsin’s successor):

– Yeltsin is a historical person. A rare leader for Russia who respected the freedom of people. He can be put on a par with Mikhail Gorbachev and Nicholas II. Such people were either loved or hated. Yeltsin was constantly humiliated. But he allowed people to realize themselves, the opposition could work under him, there was a multi-party system, federalism, and there was no censorship in the media. He did everything for Russia to play a big role in world politics.

(The above interviews were given to a correspondent of the St. Petersburg Internet newspaper Fontanka.ru)

Petr Luchinsky, ex-president Moldova:

- This big loss. The man who played an outstanding role in the turn of history towards democratic development, both in Russia and in new countries, has passed away. independent states USSR, including Moldova. Thanks to his wisdom, balance, and tolerance, it was possible to survive the difficult period of the collapse of the USSR and the formation of young states. We are very grateful to him for this. Algirdas Brazauskas, former President of Lithuania:

– Boris Yeltsin played an important role in strengthening relations between Lithuania and Russia. Without a doubt, one of his most striking steps was resistance to the then system, the then party power. We received great support from him in 1989, when he left the CPSU. If it weren’t for Yeltsin, we would have had a lot of problems because of the withdrawal of troops.

Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine:

– An entire era in world history is associated with the name of Yeltsin. His contribution to the revival of the Russian state, the establishment of the principles of freedom, equality and sovereignty in post-Soviet space, in a fair settlement modern world- is unique, it can be compared with the achievements of great historical leaders.

Tony Blair, British Prime Minister:

“He was a remarkable man who recognized the need for democratic and economic reforms, and in advocating them he played a key role in crucial moment Russian history. Bill Clinton, former US President:

– Boris Yeltsin was a Russian patriot who believed that democracy was the only way to restore Russia's greatness in the 21st century. Two things struck me: his dedication to his country and its people and his desire to look at the facts and make difficult decisions that he believed were in Russia's long-term interests. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, general secretary NATO:

– President Boris Yeltsin will be remembered for his courage in choosing a new democratic path for the development of his country. He was also at the forefront of efforts to overcome the effects of the Cold War and create a new relationship between Russia and NATO. These historic efforts have put aside the fears and concerns of the past in favor of cooperation that aims to meet the challenges of the future.

One and the same fact of Yeltsin’s biography is assessed ambiguously by contemporaries, depending on their views and system of life values. Sometimes it's exactly the opposite. And this applies to almost all biographical facts. Therefore, one gets the feeling that his contemporaries are unlikely to be able to evaluate his life activity unbiasedly. Moreover, we still do not know the events that took place behind the scenes of big politics, and one way or another influenced the inevitability of decisions made.

There is also the following opinion: it is unlikely that many could cope with the tasks of governing the country at that time better due to the fact that all the economic and political problems that had accumulated over the previous years of the Communist Party’s rule spilled out. Everything had to be decided at once. There were no rules, no experience of behavior, no similar economic situations.

According to most contemporaries, Yeltsin was the only one of all the heads of the Russian state of the twentieth century who left behind not an abyss of despair and not a dead scorched earth, but living life, hope, confidence in own strength. At least in the energetic healthy part of the country. He made it possible for Russians to feel like free people who are not afraid to express their thoughts out loud, who have democratic freedoms, who do not have to be faithful to one ideology established from above, who can, like all other people of the civilized world, finally move and travel freely abroad.

And he was able to do this because, first of all, he himself believed in the revival and transformation of Russia, respected and loved the Russian people, and sincerely tried to do everything to make the lives of millions of Russians better. This was his dream.

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For the first time, the position of the president as the head of the executive branch was established by the second article of the US Constitution, adopted by the Philadelphia Convention on September 17, 1787. Initially, this post was created based on the personal qualities of one person - the leader of the struggle for independence, George Washington, who was an undisputed authority for his contemporaries. There is an opinion that it was only because of the legislators' faith in his genius that the president was exempt from accountability to Congress.

The vote took place on January 10, 1789. By general consent, George Washington was elected president without any real opponents, as he was extremely popular and presided over the Philadelphia Convention. He won with 100% of the votes. John Adams became vice president.

Washington’s inauguration took place in New York on April 30, 1789. On the eve of this, he wrote to Secretary of War Henry Knox: “I tell you with all sincerity (the world, of course, will hardly believe it) - I go to the ruler’s chair, overwhelmed with feelings that are hardly different from those experienced by a criminal approaching the place of his execution. So I don’t want, at the end of my life, already almost completely absorbed by concerns about the state, to leave my peaceful abode for the sake of an ocean of troubles, not sophisticated in political tricks, not having the abilities and inclinations necessary at the helm of power.”

Washington served as President of the United States for two terms. He refused to stand again and resigned his post on March 4, 1797, after the expiration of his term.

It was his example that began the unspoken tradition according to which the same person was not elected President of the United States more than twice. This rule was followed by all heads of the American executive branch until the mid-twentieth century. The only exception Franklin Roosevelt became president and was elected four times. After this, it was decided to legally limit the number of possible re-elections so that this case would not become a precedent for the establishment of a dictatorship. On March 21, 1947, Congress passed the 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution. It established that the same person could hold the post of president for no more than two terms, regardless of whether it was consecutive or with a break. The amendment was ratified and took effect on February 7, 1951.

It should be noted that George Washington was the first to serve as president under the US Constitution. But before him, there was the position of President of the US Legislative Congress. It was established by the first American constitutional document, the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, adopted at the Second Continental Congress in York on November 15, 1777. Ratification took place in all 13 states. The document came into force on March 1, 1781.

According to the Articles of Confederation, the post of President of the Legislative Congress of the United States was held by ten consecutive people for eight years. The last of these was succeeded by George Washington, who was elected under the new Constitution. His predecessors were

Before the adoption and ratification of the Articles of Confederation, there was a position of President of the Continental Congress of the United States. She was occupied by:

This post was preceded by another - the President of the Continental Congress of the United Colonies of America. The position was not elective. The President had limited power. Three people held this post:

Thus, the first president in American and world history was not formally George Washington. It was Peyton Randolph. If we talk about the United States after gaining independence, John Hancock became the first head of state in this position. And on a legislative basis, this post was first occupied by Samuel Huntington in 1781. By the way, it is this man that many of his fellow Connecticut residents consider the real first president of the United States.

Of course, such facts do not detract from Washington's merits. It was he who became the first head of the executive branch in accordance with the electoral system enshrined in the Constitution, thereby laying the traditional foundations modern institutions authorities in the United States.

In Europe until the middle of the 19th century. the position of the president as head of state did not exist. The first country on the continent to establish this post was Switzerland. On November 21, 1848, Jonas Furrer, a member of the Radical Democratic Party, became its president. Switzerland was followed by another republic - France. On December 10, 1848, Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, the nephew of the great commander, was elected president of the country. He received 75% of the votes. On December 20, 1848, Louis Bonaparte took the oath of allegiance to the republic and the constitution. In addition to the listed states, other European countries up to late XIX V. remained monarchies.

The famous German poet Heinrich Heine said that rulers can come and go... I think many will agree with this. But which one of them comes first? Or maybe the first and last... That’s what happened on shift historical eras in Russia. Many people remember or know from history that the great country, Russia, was not always called that way. There was a period when Moscow was the capital of the USSR, which, like many great states, ceased to exist. As a result of the events leading to the collapse Soviet Union, a new power was reborn on the territory of Northern Eurasia - the Russian Federation.

Is it clear that someone had to govern the new state? To whom did the Russian people entrust such an important post? Who is the first president of Russia?

How it was

After the fall of the communist system and the collapse of the Soviet Union, which the first and only president of the country of Soviets, Mikhail Gorbachev, could not stop, political map replenished with a new state - Russia. Who is the first president of Russia? Boris Yeltsin became the head of state. Having become president, he directed his activities towards restoring sovereignty and establishing relations with the leaders of the former Soviet republics, which became part of the CIS (Union of Independent States).

Yeltsin's activities were not to everyone's taste. On August 19, 1991, opponents of his policies organized a coup d'état (putsch). As a result of this coup, the putschists were removed, Russia gained independence from the USSR, and the Soviet Union officially ceased to exist in December 1991.

The “dashing 90s” came, which turned out to be not the most best period in Russian history and in the history of Boris Yeltsin's presidency. Despite this, he managed to stay in political history Russia's first and only democratically elected president-reformer of the great country of Russia.

About the position

The presidential office in Russia was founded on April 24, 1991, according to the results of the All-Russian referendum held the day before, on March 17. Initially, until December 25 of the same year, the position of “President of the Russian Federation” was called “President of the RSFSR”. Thus, the post of president became the highest position, and the person occupying it became the head of the executive branch, whose election took place through popular vote.

According to the Constitution of the RSFSR of 1978 and its amendments of May 29, 1991, all policies of the RSFSR, internal and external, were subordinated to the Council of People's Deputies. The actions of the president depended on the legislative branch and were regulated by the Supreme Council, its Presidium and the Council of People's Deputies. Therefore, it was not surprising to understand that Yeltsin sought to abolish these bodies and strengthen the executive branch of power, which included the presidential position. His actions led to the dispersal of the authorities described above, the establishment at the end of 1993 of a unified regime of the President of Russia and constitutional reform, as a result of which a new Constitution of the Russian Federation was adopted in December 1993. According to the new Constitution, the President of Russia became the head of state, and his powers expanded.

The President of the Russian Federation is the only highest public position of the Russian Federation and a person elected to this position by all-Russian popular vote. The powers of the president are determined by the 4th chapter of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and are aimed mainly at the executive branch, or close to it. Despite this, the presidential office does not belong to the existing branches of government; the president is superior to them, since he coordinates their actions and has the right to dissolve the State Duma.

The President of Russia is the head of state, the guarantor of the Constitution, the rights and freedoms of people and Russian citizens, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. According to the Constitution, the President ensures the protection of the sovereignty and independence of the Russian Federation, the integrity of the state, ensures the work and interaction of all branches of government and is responsible for the internal and foreign policy conducted by the state. The powers of the president are determined by Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

The President of Russia is an elected public office through a popular civil secret vote (Article 81 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation). According to the Constitution of the RSFSR, the President of Russia in 1991 was elected for five years. In 1993, the Constitution of the Russian Federation was amended, and the term of presidential powers was reduced to four years. Changes to the 2008 Constitution extended the presidential term to 6 years, starting with the 2012 elections.

To their own job responsibilities The President of Russia begins after taking the oath.

Taking office

The assumption of office takes place through a solemn ceremony - inauguration (from the Latin “I dedicate”). The history of this tradition for Russia is too short and dates back to Gorbachev’s presidency. The inauguration procedure includes taking the oath, placing one’s hand on the Constitution of the Russian Federation, receiving special symbols of presidential power - special sign The President of Russia, the Presidential Standard and a special copy of the fundamental law.

Symbols of presidential power

1. The Standard of the President of the Russian Federation is a square-shaped panel consisting of three horizontal stripes of equal size, made in the colors of the State Flag of Russia. In its center is a golden National emblem, and the edges of the panel are framed with gold fringe. On the shaft of the Standard, the top of which is crowned with a metal spear, there is a silver bracket. On it, engravers put the last name, first name and patronymic of the President and the dates of his tenure in this post. After the oath of office, the Standard of the President of the Russian Federation stands in the guarantor’s office, and a duplicate is installed above the Kremlin residence of the President.
2. The badge of the President of Russia is a golden equal-pointed cross on a chain. Its front part is covered with ruby ​​enamel, on which the State Emblem is depicted. On the reverse side there is a round medallion, in the center of which is the year of manufacture - 1994, and around the circumference is the motto. The President's sign is connected to the 17-link chain by means of a laurel wreath. back side The links are covered with white enamel, and the last name, first name and patronymic of each president and the year of taking office are engraved on it. After the inauguration, the Badge is kept in the Kremlin residence of the head of state.
3. A specially made copy of the Constitution of the Russian Federation has been the official symbol of the Guarantor’s power since August 5, 1996. By placing his hand on it, the President takes the oath to his people.

Yeltsin's reign

Who was the first president of Russia? In June 1991 (and back in July 1996), this post was held by Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin. The total duration of Yeltsin's tenure as President of Russia was 8.5 years.

Only future generations of Russians can appreciate Boris Yeltsin’s contribution to the history of their state. Many good and bad words will be said about the era of Yeltsin’s reign. Despite this, it can be said that with his departure in 1999 one of the periods of the modern Russian state ended. Regardless of what deeds Yeltsin glorified himself with, he will go down in history as the first democratically elected President of Russia.

I usually go to elections, despite the fact that many people think that everything is decided in advance. This, of course, is a personal matter for everyone. When the first president of Russia was elected, I had just turned 20, and I received the right to express my opinion. It was time political activity, everything around was changing, and we, the young ones, really wanted to take part in everything. Although we had little understanding of many things at that time, the need for change was clear to everyone.

How the president appeared in Russia

After the division of the Soviet Union, reform began political system countries. The question of the position of president was put to a referendum, which was held on March 17, 1991. More than half of those who voted supported the introduction of a new position. The law on the institution of presidency, adopted a little later, established the rights of the leader, the five-year term of election and the requirements for a citizen applying for the post. The first president of Russia was officially elected in June 1991.

First President of Russia

According to the election results, the post of head of the country was taken by Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin.

Despite the fact that he was a member of the Communist Party and held high political positions in the USSR, he openly criticized the existing line of the state and spoke about the need for change. The population liked his energy and desire to speed up the restructuring that had begun; people supported the elected president. But the changes expected by the people did not follow, and Yeltsin almost lost the next elections to the communist Zyuganov: he managed to win only in the second round. On December 31, 1999, in his New Year's greetings, Yeltsin resigned from his position, ceding his post to Vladimir Putin, who at that time held the position of Prime Minister. Although it was clear that the president was already leading the country with difficulty, his resignation from power came as a surprise.

Institute of Presidency in Russia

Presidents have ruled Russia for only a short time by historical standards - not even thirty years.

And there were only three of them in our history:

• B. Yeltsin;
• D. Medvedev;
• V. Putin.

By comparison, Trump is the 45th American to hold such a position.

Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was elected President of the USSR on March 15, 1990 at the III Extraordinary Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR.
December 25, 1991, in connection with the cessation of the existence of the USSR as public education, M.S. Gorbachev announced his resignation from the post of President and signed a Decree on the transfer of control to strategic nuclear weapons Russian President Yeltsin.

On December 25, after Gorbachev’s announcement of resignation, a red flag was lowered in the Kremlin state flag USSR and the flag of the RSFSR was raised. First and last President The USSR left the Kremlin forever.

The first president of Russia, then still the RSFSR, Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin was elected on June 12, 1991 by popular vote. B.N. Yeltsin won in the first round (57.3% of the votes).

In connection with the expiration of the term of office of the President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin and in accordance with the transitional provisions of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, elections for the President of Russia were scheduled for June 16, 1996. This was the only presidential election in Russia where two rounds were required to determine the winner. The elections took place from June 16 to July 3 and were distinguished by intense competition between candidates. The main competitors were considered the current President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin and the leader Communist Party Russian Federation G. A. Zyuganov. According to the election results, B.N. Yeltsin received 40.2 million votes (53.82 percent), significantly ahead of G.A. Zyuganov, who received 30.1 million votes (40.31 percent). 3.6 million Russians (4.82%) voted against both candidates .

December 31, 1999 at 12:00 pm Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin voluntarily ceased to exercise the powers of the President of the Russian Federation and transferred the powers of the President to the Chairman of the Government Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. On April 5, 2000, the first President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, was awarded pensioner and labor veteran certificates.

December 31, 1999 Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin became acting president of the Russian Federation.

In accordance with the Constitution, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation set March 26, 2000 as the date for holding early presidential elections.

On March 26, 2000, 68.74 percent of voters included in the voting lists, or 75,181,071 people, took part in the elections. Vladimir Putin received 39,740,434 votes, which amounted to 52.94 percent, that is, more than half of the votes. On April 5, 2000, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation decided to recognize the presidential elections of the Russian Federation as valid and valid, and to consider Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin elected to the post of President of Russia.