ABSTRACT
The opportunity structure for political careers in post-Soviet Russia has been shaped by numerous elements, the most important of which are constitutional rules for forming cabinets and restrictions on positions that ministers may hold outside of cabinet. Most important, the constitution specifies a semi-presidential political system, which transformed into a super-presidential system after Boris Yeltsin's presidency. The president of the Russian Federation appointed the Prime Minister after gaining approval from the Supreme Soviet and the Congress of the People's Deputies. The patterns of elite recruitment indicate the values determining selection to elite positions in society. In addition to the ascriptive characteristics, the political experience and the occupational background of a candidate influence selection to the cabinet. Portfolio-specific recruitment in Russia is based on two major criteria: specialization and loyalty. The duration of a cabinet career depends on various political, institutional, and structural factors. The main institutional factor is the dependence of a cabinet duration on the presidential term.
