Plot synopsis

Yeltsin oversaw Russia's transition from a planned economy to a capitalist market economy by implementing economic shock therapy, a floating rouble exchange rate, nationwide privatisation and the lifting of price controls. This was followed by economic slowdown, high volatility and rampant inflation. Amidst this economic upheaval, a handful of oligarchs seized control of most of the country's assets and wealth, while international monopolies dominated the market. A constitutional crisis erupted in 1993 when Boris Yeltsin ordered the unconstitutional dissolution of the Russian Parliament, leading to his impeachment. The crisis ended when troops loyal to Yeltsin stormed the Parliament and put down an armed uprising; he then promulgated a new constitution that greatly strengthened the powers of the president. After the crisis, Yeltsin ruled the country by decree until 1994, in the absence of the Supreme Soviet of Russia.

On the international stage, Yeltsin encouraged renewed cooperation with Europe and signed arms control agreements with the United States. Faced with growing internal pressure, he resigned at the end of 1999 and was replaced as president by his designated successor, Vladimir Putin, whom he had appointed prime minister a few months earlier. After leaving office, he kept a low profile and was given a state funeral upon his death in 2007.

Domestically, Boris Yeltsin was very popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, his reputation was greatly tarnished by the economic and political crises of his presidency, and he left office largely unpopular with the Russian people. He has been praised and criticised for his role in dismantling the Soviet Union, transforming Russia into a representative democracy and introducing new freedoms to the country. Conversely, he has been criticised for economic mismanagement, abuses of presidential power, autocratic behaviour, corruption and undermining Russia's status as a major world power.

Selected in the following festivals or events :

- Historical Chronicles with Nikolay Svanidze, (kinoglaz.fr), 2026

Photos, videos, texts

Boris ELTSINE (Борис Николаевич ЕЛЬЦИН) 1931-2007