The Congress held the ultimate power in the country (that is, power to decide on "any questions within jurisdiction of the Russian Federation") and some of the most-important powers (passage of and amendment of the Constitution, approval of the Prime Minister of Russia and the holders of the highest public offices, selection of the members of the committee of constitutional supervision (judges of Constitutional Court since 1991), declaration of referendums, impeachment of the president, etc.)

Its last session was held after the presidential dissolution decree, and was interrupted by armed attack on the White House by forces loyal to the president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin.

The Supreme Soviet was entrusted with the power to pass laws, ratify treaties, assign cabinet members (until 1991) and judges, declare amnesty, and approve presidential decrees.

Afterwards the president gained the right to a delaying veto, which could be bypassed by the Supreme Soviet through a simple majority vote.

Chairmen of the Supreme Soviet of Russian SFSR: Boris Yeltsin ran for the post of Chairman as a CPSU member twice unsuccessfully, gaining 497 and 503 votes respectively, out of 531 required to be elected.

The CPSU then nominated a more moderate candidate, the President of the Council of Ministers, Alexander Vlasov.

On 17 March 1991 a national referendum was held in Russia in which 54% voted for the introduction of the post of President of RSFSR.

CPSU was banned by president Yeltsin in November 1991 due to the attempted August Coup.

The “Democratic Russia” and its allies were initially in the majority, which allowed Yeltsin to be elected as the Chairman of the Presidium.