Government of Russia

Government of Russia
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Country	Russia
Name	Government of Russia
Date	1993
Polity	Russian Federation
Leader title	Prime Minister of Russia
Leader name	Mikhail Mishustin
Appointed	President of Russia
Main organ	Cabinet of Ministers of Russia
Ministries	21
Url	http://government.ru

Government of Russia. The Government of Russia is the highest federal executive body, exercising state power across the vast territory of the Russian Federation. It is headed by the Prime Minister of Russia and includes deputy prime ministers and federal ministers, operating within the framework established by the Constitution of Russia and federal constitutional laws. The government's primary functions include implementing domestic and foreign policy, managing the federal budget, and ensuring the rule of law and defense of the state.

History

The modern Government of Russia traces its origins to the post-Soviet reforms following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The current structure was established by the 1993 Constitution, which replaced the earlier Supreme Soviet of Russia system. Key historical figures in its formation include Boris Yeltsin, the first president under the new constitution, and Viktor Chernomyrdin, an early long-serving prime minister. The government has undergone significant changes, from the privatization and economic "shock therapy" of the 1990s to the recentralization of power under Vladimir Putin, marked by events like the Second Chechen War and constitutional amendments such as those in 2020.

Structure

The structure is defined by the Constitution of Russia and federal constitutional law "On the Government of the Russian Federation." The supreme body is the Presidium of the Government of Russia, which conducts operational management. The executive branch is organized into federal ministries, such as the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, federal services like the Federal Security Service (FSB), and federal agencies such as Roscosmos. Key coordinating bodies include the Security Council of Russia and the State Council of the Russian Federation, which advise on strategic policy.

Federal government

The federal government consists of the Prime Minister of Russia, deputy prime ministers, and federal ministers, forming the Cabinet of Ministers of Russia. It is responsible for drafting the federal budget and submitting it to the State Duma, managing federal property, and implementing uniform policies in finance, culture, and science. Critical institutions under its purview include the Central Bank of Russia, the Prosecutor General of Russia, and the Investigative Committee of Russia. The government headquarters are in the White House in Moscow.

Regional and local government

Russia is a federation comprising 85 federal subjects, including republics, krais, oblasts, and federal cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Each has its own executive authority, often headed by a governor or president, appointed or approved in consultation with the President of Russia. Local self-government is exercised in municipalities such as the Moscow City Duma or the Administration of Saint Petersburg, but their autonomy is constrained by federal control over finance and security, overseen by entities like the Federal Antimonopoly Service.

Political system

The political system is defined by the strong executive power of the President of Russia, who is not a member of the government but appoints the prime minister subject to approval by the State Duma. The Federal Assembly of Russia, consisting of the State Duma and the Federation Council, exercises legislative power. The dominant political force is the United Russia party, with significant roles played by A Just Russia — For Truth, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia. The Constitutional Court of Russia and the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation comprise the judicial branch.

Current government

The current government is led by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, appointed by President Vladimir Putin in January 2020 following the resignation of Dmitry Medvedev's cabinet. Key members include Andrey Belousov as First Deputy Prime Minister and Sergei Lavrov as Minister of Foreign Affairs. This government has been focused on policies addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, economic challenges following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and initiatives like the National Projects of Russia. Its activities are closely aligned with the presidential administration and directives from the Security Council of Russia. Category:Government of Russia