The Russian/Soviet Union has had a variety of different types of government over time. From the early days of the Russian Empire, which was an absolute monarchy, to the Soviet Union, which was a one-party communist state, the government of Russia has changed drastically over the years. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia transitioned to a semi-presidential republic, with a strong executive branch and a democratically elected legislature. In recent years, the government has become increasingly authoritarian, with President Vladimir Putin consolidating power and curtailing civil liberties.
