Russia has a federal semi-presidential republic form of government. It is a democratic federal state with a republican form where power is divided among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president is the head of state with significant powers including appointing the prime minister (who is approved by the State Duma) and serving as commander in chief of the armed forces. The legislative power is vested in a bicameral Federal Assembly consisting of the State Duma (lower house) and the Federation Council (upper house). The government is headed by the prime minister, who is appointed by the president with the parliament's approval.

In practice, the government has strong presidential control, with the president having the authority to dismiss the government and issue decrees that have the force of law when the legislature fails to pass his initiatives. Constitutional amendments in recent years have consolidated the president's powers, including abolishing term limits. The system is described by some sources as an authoritarian regime with a strong centralization of power in the hands of the president.