Boris Yeltsin was elected as the first Russian President in June 1991 and was defending his position at the 1996 elections where he faced opposition from the communist Gennady Zyuganov. Boris Yeltsin had been a reformer in Russia turning the state towards a market economy. Although very ill at these elections (he was later that year treated for a heart condition) this was hidden although there were rumours.

This election was primarily about whether Russia should continue down its path of reform, or whether it should return to its communist roots. Zyuganov made a strong showing in the polls and was a serious threat to Yeltsin's presidency. In the first round of voting there was very little between them with Yeltsin polling 35% of the vote and Zyuganov 32%. However, Yeltsin saw off his challenger in the second round with a more comfortable 53% of the vote as against Zyuganov's 40%.

Yeltsin was returned to power for another four year term and the Russian people had voted for the continued reform and further moves towards a western economic model.

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