On 12 June 1991 he was elected President of RSFSR, receiving 45 552 041 votes, which accounted for 57,30 per cent of those who took part in the vote, considerably ahead of Nikolai Ryzhkov, who, despite the support of the Communist party, received only 16,85 per cent of the vote[24]. Together with B. N. Yeltsin was elected Vice-President Alexander Rutskoi[25]. After the election of the main slogans of the B. N. Yeltsin began fighting with the privileges of the nomenclature and the maintenance of the sovereignty of Russia within the USSR.
It was the first in the history of Russia's national presidential elections. Soviet President Gorbachev was not selected nationally, and was elected in a vote at the Congress of people's deputies of the USSR.
July 10, 1991 B. N. Yeltsin took the oath of allegiance to the people of Russia and the Russian Constitution, and assumed the position of President of the RSFSR. After taking the oath gave a keynote speech that began energetically and emotionally, understanding the solemnity of the moment[26].
It is impossible to put into words a state of mind that I experience in these moments. For the first time in the millennial history of Russia the President is taking his oath before his fellow citizens. There is no higher honor than the one people render to his people, there is no higher office to which elected by the citizens of the state. <...> I am optimistic about the future and ready for vigorous action. Great Russia rises from knees! We will definitely make it into a prosperous, democratic, peaceful, legal and sovereign state. Already began arduous for all of us to work. Going through so many tests, clearly presenting your objectives, we can be certain: Russia will be reborn!