The state system of the Russian Federation is defined by the Constitution adopted by popular vote on December 12, 1993. The latest amendments to the Constitution were made in 2020.

The bearer of sovereignty and the only source of power in the Russian Federation is its multinational people. The people exercise their power directly, as well as through state authorities and local governments. No one can usurp power in the Russian Federation. The seizure of power or the appropriation of authority are prosecuted under federal law.

The Russian Federation is a social state whose policy is aimed at creating conditions that ensure a decent life and free development of man.

Political and ideological diversity, a multi-party system, and the equality of public associations before the law are recognized in Russia. No ideology can be established as a state or mandatory one. The creation and activities of public associations whose goals or actions are aimed at violently changing the foundations of the constitutional system and violating the integrity of the Russian Federation, undermining state security, creating armed groups, inciting social, racial, national and religious hatred are prohibited.

Russia is a democratic federal state governed by the rule of law with a republican form of government.

According to the constitution, the balance of executive and legislative powers is structured in such a way that Russia is defined as a mixed republic (this form of government can also be designated as a presidential-parliamentary, semi-parliamentary or semi-presidential republic), combining the features of a presidential and parliamentary republican government. However, the relationship between the powers of the president, parliament and government is non-trivial. Indeed, the head of government is its chairman, not the president, which is an argument in favor of a mixed republic. On the other hand, the chairman of the government himself is appointed by the president and the president has the authority to dissolve the government (the State Duma can only express no confidence in the government, but the decision on his resignation is made by the president).

As of January 1, 2025, there are 24 registered political parties in Russia, each of which has the right to participate in the elections to the State Duma, as well as recommend its delegate for the next elections for the post of President of Russia.

In Russia, 3 political parties are in the lead, among which is United Russia (the largest political party supporting the President of Russia), in second place is the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (created in the 1980s as an “anti-communist party”) and the Communist Party of Russia (they are strong mainly among the older generation, born in the 1930s-1940s and some of their relatives).