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The President of Russia (Russian: Президент Россиской федерации, Prezident Rossiskoi Federatsii) is the Head of State and highest office within the Government of Russia. Executive power is split between the President and the Prime Minister, who is the Head of Government. The office was instituted in 1991 as the head of RSFSR according to the results of the referendum held on March 171991. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, two individuals have been elected to the presidency. The first President was Boris Yeltsin elected on June 121991 by a direct popular vote. He came into power on July 71991 for a five-year term. According to the Constitution of Russia accepted in 1993, the president is elected every four years by a direct vote of the Russian population.[1] The second and current President of Russia is Vladimir Putin. The next scheduled vote is slated for 2008.
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Requirements to hold office
According to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, a person willing to run for presidency has to be a citizen of Russia not younger than 35, who has permanently resided in the Russian Federation for not less than 10 years. The Constitution of Russia also restricts the period during which a person can hold the office of the President to two consecutive terms. There is, however, nothing to prevent a former President (including one who has served two full terms) from seeking re-election for a further period provided someone else has held the office inbetween.
Rights and duties
The President is the head of state and his main task is to preserve and protect the rights and liberties of the Russian people, which are granted under the Constitution of Russia. The President is tasked to determine the domestic and foreign policy of the Russian government. The President is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The President is also charged in awarding of state decorations, resolves problems on issues in immigration and has the power to grant pardons. The president's rights and duties are defined in the chapter 4 of the Constitution.[2]
Insignia
After the oath of office has been taken by the elected president, these following insignia are handed over to the president. These devices are used to display the rank of his office and are used on special occasions.
Chain of office
The first insignia that is issued is the chain of office with an emblem. The central emblem is a red cross, with arms in equal size, charged with the Russian coat of arms. On the reverse of the cross, the words "Benefit, Honor and Glory" (Russian: «Польза, честь и слава»; "Pol’za, chest’ i slava") appear in a form of a circle. A golden wreath is used to connect the cross with the rest of the chain. There are seventeen "links" in the emblem, with nine consisting of the Russian coat of arms. The other eight consist of a rosette, also bearing the motto "Benefit, Honor and Glory." At the inauguration of Vladimir Putin, the emblem was placed on a red pillow, positioned on the left side of podium. According to the Presidential website, the emblem is placed inside the Kremlin and is used only on certain occasions.
Standard (Flag)
The standard is a square version of the Russian flag, (pictured below) charged in the center with the Russian coat of arms. Golden fringe is added to the standard. Copies of the standard are used inside his office, at the Kremlin, other state agencies, and while the president is traveling in a vehicle inside Russia. A 2:3 ratio version of the flag is used when the President is at sea. This is the mostly used symbol to denote the presence of the Russian President.
Special Copy of the Constitution
The President also has a special copy of the Russian Constitution that is used during the inauguration. This copy has a hard, red cover with gold lettering. An image of the Russian coat of arms appears in silver. The special copy is kept in the Presidential Library, which is located inside the Kremlin.
Legal Basis of the Insignia
These insignia and the procedure were established by the presidential decree No. 1138 from August 5, 1996. [3] and modified by decree No. 832 from May 6, 2000. [4] In the new decree the special copy of the Constitution was removed as the third symbol of the Russian Presidency; the other two symbols remained intact because they were and are regulated by separate decrees. Nonetheless, the special copy of the Constitution still exists and serves for inauguration purposes only without being officially presented as a symbol of the Russian Presidency.
 Chain of office |
 Standard |
Oath of Office
Each person who has been elected to this office takes this oath during their inauguration:
| “ | I hereby pledge, in the performance of my duties as the President of the Russian Federation, to respect and protect human and civil rights and liberties, to observe and protect the Constitution of the Russian Federation, to protect the sovereignty and the independence, the security and the integrity of the state and to faithfully serve my nation. | ” |
Pictures of the Presidents of the Russian Federation
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See also
Notes
- 1 Aleksandr Rutskoy acted "in opposition" during the Russian constitutional crisis of 1993 from September 22, 1993 – October 4, 1993.
- 2 As Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin was the Acting president following Yeltsin's resignation until being elected by popular vote on May 7, 2000.
References
- ^ Constitution of the Russian Federation. Chapter 4, Article 81.1
- ^ Constitution of the Russian Federation Article Four
- ^ Coбpaниe зaкoнoдaтeльcтвa Рoccийcкoй Фeдepaции 1996, No. 33, ar. 3976
- ^ Coбpaниe зaкoнoдaтeльcтвa Рoccийcкoй Фeдepaции 2000, No. 19, ar. 2068
External links
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| Boris Yeltsin • Vladimir Putin Vice President (1991—1993): Alexander Rutskoy Acting Presidents: Alexander Rutskoy (1993, selfproclaimed) • Viktor Chernomyrdin (1996) • Vladimir Putin (1999—2000) |
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