Russia to Swear in Medvedev as New Leader

Dmitry Medvedev, 43, former first vice-prime minister, was inaugurated as Russia’s fifth president on Wednesday.

This is the first time that a Russian president has completed his term and handed power over to a successor since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Medvedev will now lead a nation with the world’s largest land, rich in resources, and the world’s second strongest military, after the United States.

▽ Putin’s Influence Likely to Linger

Newly elected President Medvedev treated his predecessor, former President Vladimir Putin, with great respect at his inauguration in the Kremlin.

Though Medvedev was officially recognized as Russia’s new head of state a day prior to the inauguration, Putin remained in the presidential office almost until noon on Tuesday before he directly headed to the Kremlin’s Andreyevsky Hall to attend the ceremony.

“It is important for Russia to follow the course that has already been chosen,” said Putin in a speech prior to Medvedev’s oath of office. The outgoing president stressed that the new president should follow his footsteps.

Medvedev has followed Putin like a shadow since Putin recommended him as legal adviser to the Committee for External Relations of the St. Petersburg Mayor`s Office in 1990, while serving the committee’s chairman.

Given that, Medvedev will likely follow the advice of Putin, who will serve as country’s new premier, at least during the first year of office.

Putin had secured considerable influence over all aspects of Russian politics before stepping down as Kremlin leader. He agreed to become chairman of the United Russia Party, which controls two-thirds of the seats in parliament and has strengthened the political power of the premiership.

Medvedev, who was elected president on March 2, stressed social and economic reforms. He has promised to improve Russia’s excessive dependence on resource exports, as well as poor productivity and welfare system.

However, experts on Russian affairs believe that Medvedev will not pursue major reforms that run counter to Putin’s national agenda of stability.

▽ Conflicts Between Old and New Politicians

Though the majority of pundits predict that Medvedev will have a smooth road ahead of him, at least for a while, some believe that he will fall into an ambush everywhere he goes.

They say that Medvedev, who is young and relatively inexperienced in state affairs, will experience a great deal of difficulty to lead the nation as former President Putin will continue to exert influence over state affairs.

They say that it cannot be ruled out that Medvedev, who does not have a strong support base, may clash with the Kremlin’s Old Guard, who have served under Putin, if he exercises the president’s power to the fullest extent allowed under law.

Some key agendas for Medvedev in the early years of his office will be to resolve strained relations with the United States and Europe over the missile defense system in Eastern Europe and the U.S.-Russian Strategic Arms Agreement.

viyonz@donga.com