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Following is a breakdown of presidential and prime ministerial powers under the current constitutional rules.
PRESIDENT:
— Head of state
— Office in the Kremlin
— Commander-in-chief of armed forces — in charge of Russia’s nuclear weapons.
— Sets direction of both foreign and domestic policies
— Guarantor of the constitution, citizens’ rights
— Defender of Russia’s sovereignty
— Prime Minister reports directly to the president. President appoints and sacks PM and other federal ministers, subject to parliamentary approval
— All Russian spy services report directly to the president
— Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry, Emergency Ministry, Justice Ministry all report directly to President
— President controls the Presidential Administration, based in the Kremlin
— President has a right to chair cabinet meetings, but normally leaves this to the Prime Minister
— President controls and appoints the Security Council, which oversees Russia’s Defense and security policies
— President appoints central bank head
— President can call a state of emergency or impose military law if he believes threat to national security
PRIME MINISTER:
— Heads cabinet of ministers
— Office located in Moscow’s White House
— PM becomes acting president if the president “is not in the condition to fulfil his responsibilities”, according to Russia’s Constitution.
— Civilian ministries such as education and health report to PM
— Implements domestic and foreign policy as well as Presidential decrees, laws and international agreements
— Coordinates economic and fiscal policy, manages federal property
— Sets prices for gas, electricity and domestic transport
— Controls social policy, labour policy, migration and family policies.—Reuters
