The election of Boris Yeltsin as President of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic represented a pivotal moment in Russian history. As the former First Secretary of the Moscow City Party Committee and a member of the Communist Party, Yeltsin became increasingly critical of the party's traditional policies and began advocating for major reforms including economic liberalization and democratic governance. The Congress of People's Deputies, which was established in the late 1980s as part of Mikhail Gorbachev's perestroika reforms, provided the forum for Yeltsin's election.

The Congress convened in Moscow and witnessed intense political maneuvering, with Yeltsin emerging as a key figure capable of appealing to both reformist and nationalist sentiments among the deputies. His election was not only a result of his popularity among the voters but also reflected a growing desire among the Russian populace for change in the face of economic stagnation and social unrest. Yeltsin's election was a symbolic rejection of the past, indicating a shift away from strict Soviet governance toward a more autonomous Russian republic.

Following his election, Yeltsin faced significant challenges including economic turmoil, political resistance, and increasing nationalist movements within other Soviet republics. Nevertheless, his presidency marked the groundwork for the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union and the establishment of Russia as an independent nation-state. This transformation would lead to significant changes in both domestic and foreign policy, shaping the trajectory of post-Soviet Russia.