Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Medvedev Becomes President of Russia

Putin's protégé takes office, if not power

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 7, 2008 5:44 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Dmitry Medvedev today became the third president of Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union. But as the 42-year-old arrives at the Kremlin, most Russians believe Vladimir Putin, who becomes PM tomorrow, will continue to wield power. The Times of London looks at Russia's new leadership, asking whether Medvedev and Putin are a two-man team or a puppet and master.

A recent poll found two-thirds of Russians believe Putin will control Medvedev, the youngest Russian leader in a century and the first to have no links to the Communist Party or KGB. But some Kremlin-watchers predict a slow handover of power from the outgoing president to the incoming one, projecting Medvedev will establish himself as the true leader after a number of years.

Outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, looks on at the start of an inauguration ceremony for president-elect Dmitry Medvedev, background center, in Moscow's Kremlin, Wednesday, May 7, 2008.
Outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, looks on at the start of an inauguration ceremony for president-elect Dmitry Medvedev, background center, in Moscow's Kremlin, Wednesday, May 7, 2008.   (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Vladimir Rodionov, Presidential Press Service)
Cannons fire outside the Kremlin wall during an inauguration ceremony in Moscow, Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday was inaugurated as Russia's president, pledging to bolster the country's economic development and civil rights.
Cannons fire outside the Kremlin wall during an inauguration ceremony in Moscow, Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday was inaugurated as Russia's president, pledging to bolster the country's...   (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
Dmitry Medvedev during an inauguration ceremony in Moscow's Kremlin on Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Dmitry Medvedev was inaugurated as Russia's president on Wednesday, pledging to bolster the country's economic development and civil rights, in what may signal a departure from his predecessor's heavy-handed tactics.
Dmitry Medvedev during an inauguration ceremony in Moscow's Kremlin on Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Dmitry Medvedev was inaugurated as Russia's president on Wednesday, pledging to bolster the country's economic...   (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Vladimir Rodionov, Presidential Press Service)
Russian President-elect Dmitry Medvedev is seen in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, southern Russia, Thursday, March 6, 2008. Dmitry Medvedev will become the third president of the Russian Federation on Wednesday, in an elaborate modern ritual that should remind the world of his country's czarist roots and 21st century...
Russian President-elect Dmitry Medvedev is seen in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, southern Russia, Thursday, March 6, 2008. Dmitry Medvedev will become the third president of the Russian Federation on...   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

What if the two disagree?
Independent (UK)

Commentary: the Russian comeback
Boston Globe

 
Russia • Vladimir Putin • Kremlin • Dmitry Medvedev

More Newser Stories

Putin Will Run for President: Medvedev Stepping Aside

Putin Hints He'll Run for President Again

Putin Hints at 2012 Comeback

Newly Assertive Medvedev Takes Swipe at Putin

Medvedev, Putin Move to Tighten Grip on Russia
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne