Was Mikhail Gorbachev the president of the Soviet Union?

Question by em: Was Mikhail Gorbachev president of the Soviet Union, and when was he elected?
I’m reading my history text book right now and the part where it talks about Gorbachev as president is very confusing. So did Gorbachev win, or did Yeltsin beat him? I don’t understand.

Answers and Views:

Answer by ammianus
Gorbachev was the first (and only) President of the Soviet Union, from 15 March 1990 – 25 December 1991. He was elected by the Congress of Soviets, a chamber consisting of 2,250 deputies, elected by direct popular vote.

Previously, Gorbachev had held power in USSR as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (from 11 March 1985), the title of the Head of State of the USSR since Stalin.

Yeltsin succeeded Gorbachev as the first President of Russia in 1991.

Read all the answers in the comments.

Add your own answer!