By the late 18th century, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth had been reduced from the status of a major European power to that of a country under major Russian influence almost becoming the protectorate of the Russian Empire (or vassal or satellite state), with the Russian tsar effectively choosing Polish–Lithuanian monarchs during the free elections and deciding the outcome of much of Poland's internal politics. For example the Repnin Sejm of 1767-68 was named after the Russian ambassador who had unofficially presided over its proceedings.