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Russians Vote for New Prez

Medvedev is Putin's hand-picked heir

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 2, 2008 9:09 AM CST

(Newser) – Russians headed to the polls today to vote for a successor to President Vladimir Putin in what was expected to be rubber-stamp support for his hand-picked heir. Though voters have a choice, Putin aide Dmitry Medvedev faces no serious opposition. "I'm in a good mood. Spring is here," said Medvedev, 42.

Little is known about the candidate—he didn't bother to participate in presidential debates—though he has indicated he is more in favor of democracy and freedom of speech than his mentor. It's uncertain how much actual power Medvedev will wield as president—or if he will simply carry out orders from Putin, whom he has vowed to name prime minister.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

Prominent Russian opposition figure and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov speaks to the media outside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, March 2, 2008. Kasparov held his own protest against... (Associated Press)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, First Deputy Prime Minister and presidential hopeful Dmitry Medvedev, second right, Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov, left, Sergei Mironov, second left, speaker of... (Associated Press)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila walk to a polling station in Moscow, Sunday, March 2, 2008. Russia's voters are expected to endorse Vladimir Putin's choice of a successor in Sunday's... (Associated Press)

Russian President Vladimir Putin walks to cast his ballot at a polling station in Moscow, Sunday, March 2, 2008. Russia's voters are expected to endorse Vladimir Putin's choice of a successor in Sunday's... (Associated Press)

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Russians Vote for New Prez