The political system of Russia includes the president, the government, the Federal Assembly, courts, regional authorities and local self-government. These institutions operate at different levels and have different responsibilities. Federal institutions handle matters assigned to the national level, while regions and municipalities manage responsibilities within their own legal powers. Elections in Russia use different arrangements depending on the office. Presidential elections are held nationwide, while other contests can combine party-list voting and district-based voting. Election commissions administer formal procedures under election law. The legal structure explains how offices are filled, but actual political participation and competition can vary across elections and levels of government. Understanding politics in Russia therefore requires two connected views. The state explains where authority is located and which institutions exercise it. Elections explain how representatives and officeholders are selected and how citizens participate in that process.
Politics in Russia
Politics in Russia covers how public authority is organized, exercised and contested. The Russian Federation combines federal institutions with regional authorities and municipal bodies. Elections connect citizens with the selection of officeholders and representatives, while political practice also depends on participation, competition and the applicable legal framework.
Tip
Use the level of government and the specific institution to locate a political question in Russia. Separate the formal powers and election rules from the practical level of participation and competition, because the legal structure alone does not describe every political outcome.