<P> In all cases where the President of the Russian Federation is unable to fulfill his duties, they shall be temporarily delegated to the Prime Minister, who becomes Acting President of Russia . The Chairman of the Federation Council is the third important position after the President and the Prime Minister . In the case of incapacity of both the President and Prime Minister, the chairman of the upper house of parliament becomes acting head of state . </P> <P> The power includes execution of federal law, alongside the responsibility of appointing federal ministers, diplomatic, regulatory and judicial officers, and concluding treaties with foreign powers with the advice and consent of the State Duma and the Federation Council . The president is further empowered to grant federal pardons and reprieves, and to convene and adjourn the Federal Assembly under extraordinary circumstances . The president also directs the foreign and domestic policy of the Russian Federation . </P> <P> The president is elected directly through a popular vote to a six - year term . The law prohibits anyone from ever being elected to the presidency for a third consecutive term . In all, three individuals have served four presidencies spanning six full terms . On 7 May 2012, Vladimir Putin became the fourth and current president . </P> <P> A candidate for office must be a citizen of the Russian Federation who is at least 35 years old and has "permanently resided" in Russia for at least 10 years . </P>

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