Mother+Russia+-+Background

Key Information Official Government:
 * Federation created on August 24, 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union
 * Chief of State - President Dmitry Medvedev
 * Bicameral Legistature - Federalnoye Sobraniye
 * Upper House - Federation Council
 * Lower House - State Duma

Behind the Scenes:
 * Premier Vladimir Putin unofficially runs government
 * leader of United Russia, dominant political party in Russia
 * controls over 60% of State Duma
 * commands loyalty of most other parties as well

Opposition:
 * Other Russia (coalition)
 * Leaders
 * <span style="color: #131671; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">United Civil Front Leader - Garry Kasparov
 * <span style="color: #131671; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">People Democratic Union Leader - Mikhail Kasyanov
 * <span style="color: #131671; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Russian Republican Leader - Vladimir Ryzhkov

<span style="color: #ff0300; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Bottom Line:
 * <span style="color: #131671; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Russia is largely an authoritarian nation run by Putin that is covered up as a sham, procedural democracy.

(MC)