To what extent does the legislature restrict the power of the Russian President?

Essay by firestar_erosUniversity, Bachelor'sB+, April 2004

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Upon an initial glance at the role of the Russian Presidency it is relatively easy for one to assume that the role shares a great deal with that of the other Presidential government systems in operation throughout the world. However, when one is looking at the political organisation of the Russian Federation it is important to bear in mind that the country as it exists today is barely a decade old and as such has a presidential system very much in its infancy. In comparison to that of the presidencies of the United States of America or the French Republic, the role of the Russian President is one of significant hegemonic authority with little precedent guidance to follow.

Following the adoption of Russia's constitution in 1993 there has been eager analysis by the West to see how her 'old enemy' would prosper after the fall of Communist Party rule and the dissolution of the USSR.

Although the ground for the presidency was largely laid by Mikhail Gorbachev (former General Secretary of the Communist Party of the USSR) the role has been more greatly defined by the Russian statesman, Boris Yeltsin. Yeltsin's ability in gaining control of the Russian Federation at the time in which he did has left him with a relatively free hand in crafting what has been recognised as the role of the Russian executive as well as giving him the title of the First Russian President.

When one is considering the effectiveness and the potency of the Russian Presidents power it is important to consider both the office and the men who have held it thus far. The Russian Presidency unlike any other is probably more characterised by the men who have held the title than any constitutional power it is afforded . The fact that...