# Yeltsin resigns (1999)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/1999-yeltsin-resigns
Categories: ruler-change

In a televised New Year's Eve address Boris Yeltsin announced his resignation and asked forgiveness. Putin became acting president and granted him immunity from prosecution. The early election was held in March 2000. It was the first voluntary transfer of power in Russian history.

## Why it matters
It was the first voluntary transfer of power in Russian history.

Ruler at the time: [Boris Yeltsin](https://history-russia.com/rulers/boris-yeltsin)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Boris Yeltsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Yeltsin)
- [Wikipedia — Vladimir Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin)
- [Wikipedia — History of the Russian Federation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Russian_Federation)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Yeltsin resigns](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Yeltsin+resigns)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)