The President of Russian

The President of the Russian Federation, known commonly as the President of Russia (Russian: Президент России) 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 17, 1991. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, two individuals have been elected to the presidency. The first President was Boris Yeltsin elected on June 12, 1991 by a direct popular vote. He came into power on July 7, 1991 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. The second and current President of Russia is Vladimir Putin. The next scheduled vote is slated for 2008.