Medvedev sworn in, names Putin as PM
Source: alalam.ir, 08-05-2008
MOSCOW-Dmitry Medvedev was sworn in as Russia's third president in a pomp-filled ceremony Wednesday, and immediately secured the continued influence of his mentor and predecessor Vladimir Putin by naming him prime minister.
The world now waits to see whether the two can rule in harmony or whether, like the Byzantine crest, they will gaze in opposite directions.
Medvedev has promised to strengthen democratic freedoms and move Russia in a more pro-Western direction, raising the hopes of those who want to see the country shift course, away from Putin's authoritarian rule.
But Putin spent his last weeks in office planning to strengthen the prime minister's role and assuming the chairmanship of the United Russia party, which dominates politics from the municipal level to the parliament.
Both Medvedev and Putin have dismissed concerns the dual leadership will lead to conflict and instability.
While Medvedev spoke of economic and democratic development after taking the oath of office, Putin said in his own brief remarks that the Russian people "have many times defended their own path and their sovereignty.''
The language echoed Putin's past allegations that Western democracies were trying to impose their political system on Russia, as part of a campaign of surrounding and weakening Moscow.
Russia's major television networks broadcast live coverage of the historic transfer of power in the Kremlin, which featured goose-stepping young guards resplendent in blue uniforms and high-peaked caps, and a 30-gun salute by a battery near the high Kremlin walls.
Shortly after noon Moscow time, Medvedev strode up a red carpet and took the oath of office. The brief statement included a pledge "to protect the rights and liberties of every citizen.''
The new president, who worked as Putin's assistant in St. Petersburg City Hall in the 1990s, inherits a robust economy that has experienced a decade of rapid growth.
But he must also grapple with double-digit inflation, tight credit markets overseas and the possibility, at least, that the price of natural resources will not grow as fast as they did under Putin.
Putin, 55, endorsed Medvedev as his successor in December, rallying the Kremlin and the United Russia party behind his candidate. Medvedev was elected March 2 with just over 70 percent of the vote.
Under the Russian Constitution, the presidency has sweeping powers. But the powers of the prime minister's office are elastic, and Putin appears poised to expand them.
The new premier will have increased authority over governors and regional leaders. According to Russian press reports, Putin will have 11 deputies compared to the five who served his predecessor, Viktor Zubkov.
In addition, many analysts expect Medvedev to defer to Putin, his longtime mentor, on important decisions -- at least during Medvedev's first few months in office.
Putin has vowed to remain prime minister as long as he is needed in the post. There is speculation he sees the job as a transitional post, with some predicting he will someday return to the presidency and others expecting him to retire from politics.
Several times, Putin loyalists pleaded with him to support a change in the constitution that would permit him to remain president. But he rejected those entreaties, saying he would respect the constitution he inherited.
"Eight years ago when I was sworn in as Russian president for the first time, I pledged to work openly and honestly, to loyally serve the people and the state,'' Putin said during the inauguration ceremony. "I did not break my pledge!''
MOSCOW-Dmitry Medvedev was sworn in as Russia's third president in a pomp-filled ceremony Wednesday, and immediately secured the continued influence of his mentor and predecessor Vladimir Putin by naming him prime minister.
The world now waits to see whether the two can rule in harmony or whether, like the Byzantine crest, they will gaze in opposite directions.
Medvedev has promised to strengthen democratic freedoms and move Russia in a more pro-Western direction, raising the hopes of those who want to see the country shift course, away from Putin's authoritarian rule.
But Putin spent his last weeks in office planning to strengthen the prime minister's role and assuming the chairmanship of the United Russia party, which dominates politics from the municipal level to the parliament.
Both Medvedev and Putin have dismissed concerns the dual leadership will lead to conflict and instability.
While Medvedev spoke of economic and democratic development after taking the oath of office, Putin said in his own brief remarks that the Russian people "have many times defended their own path and their sovereignty.''
The language echoed Putin's past allegations that Western democracies were trying to impose their political system on Russia, as part of a campaign of surrounding and weakening Moscow.
Russia's major television networks broadcast live coverage of the historic transfer of power in the Kremlin, which featured goose-stepping young guards resplendent in blue uniforms and high-peaked caps, and a 30-gun salute by a battery near the high Kremlin walls.
Shortly after noon Moscow time, Medvedev strode up a red carpet and took the oath of office. The brief statement included a pledge "to protect the rights and liberties of every citizen.''
The new president, who worked as Putin's assistant in St. Petersburg City Hall in the 1990s, inherits a robust economy that has experienced a decade of rapid growth.
But he must also grapple with double-digit inflation, tight credit markets overseas and the possibility, at least, that the price of natural resources will not grow as fast as they did under Putin.
Putin, 55, endorsed Medvedev as his successor in December, rallying the Kremlin and the United Russia party behind his candidate. Medvedev was elected March 2 with just over 70 percent of the vote.
Under the Russian Constitution, the presidency has sweeping powers. But the powers of the prime minister's office are elastic, and Putin appears poised to expand them.
The new premier will have increased authority over governors and regional leaders. According to Russian press reports, Putin will have 11 deputies compared to the five who served his predecessor, Viktor Zubkov.
In addition, many analysts expect Medvedev to defer to Putin, his longtime mentor, on important decisions -- at least during Medvedev's first few months in office.
Putin has vowed to remain prime minister as long as he is needed in the post. There is speculation he sees the job as a transitional post, with some predicting he will someday return to the presidency and others expecting him to retire from politics.
Several times, Putin loyalists pleaded with him to support a change in the constitution that would permit him to remain president. But he rejected those entreaties, saying he would respect the constitution he inherited.
"Eight years ago when I was sworn in as Russian president for the first time, I pledged to work openly and honestly, to loyally serve the people and the state,'' Putin said during the inauguration ceremony. "I did not break my pledge!''
