The authority and duties of the President of Russia are outlined in the Constitution of Russia. Articles 80 through 93 of the Russian Constitution specifically address the Office of the President.
According to the Constitution of Russia, the President of the Russian Federation serves as Russia’s head of state, the nation’s guarantor of rights, and Commander in Chief of the Russian Armed Forces.
As the head of state, the President of Russia represents the government internally and for the purpose of international relations. The President also represents the government of Russia for the purpose of negotiating and signing international treaties.
As guarantor of the Constitution of the Russian Federation as well as the guarantor of civil and human rights within Russia, the Russian President is responsible for ensuring that the rights of no citizen of the Russian Federation are infringed upon.
As Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Russia, the President provides political supervision of the Russian military during peace time and actively oversees security of the State and the actions of the Armed Forces when faced with foreign aggression.
The President is also responsible for appointing individuals to various posts within the government. In accordance with the Constitution and established laws, the President appoints or recommends for appointment individuals to serve as: the Chairman of the Government (Prime Minister), Deputy Chairmen of the Government, federal ministers, Chairman of the Central Bank, judges of the Constitutional Court, judges of the Supreme Court, judges of the Supreme Arbitration Court, other federal judges, Prosecutor General, members of the Security Council, members of the President’s Administration, Supreme Commanders of the Armed Forces and diplomatic representatives.
Although the President can’t create any new laws, he is allowed by the Constitution to submit draft laws to Russia’s legislative body and is also expected to sign and announce new federal laws.
The President of the Russian Federation is elected directly by Russian citizens, unlike the United States, which elects individuals to the Office of President through an electoral college. Presidents serve terms of six years and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Individuals interested in running for President of the Russian Federation must be Russian citizens, must have reached their 35th birthday, and must have permanently resided in the Russian Federation for at least 10 years.
Following a Presidential election, the President-select takes the following oath of loyalty before assuming office:
“I swear that in exercising the powers of the President of the Russian Federation I shall respect and protect human and civil rights and freedoms, observe and protect the Constitution of the Russian Federation, protect the sovereignty and independence, security and integrity of the State, and faithfully serve the people.”
Sources:
President’s Authority and Duties. President of Russia.
The President of the Russian Federation. The Constitution of Russia.
