Originally published on the CGS blog on May 21, 2008.
Though Vladimir Putin has stepped down from presidential office he is not gone from Kremlin. As Dmitry Medvedev was inaugurated on May 7th, Putin assumed the role of Prime Minister just an hour later. It was difficult to tell if the ceremony focused more on Medvedev’s coming to power or leave of the extremely popular Vladimir Putin.
Members of the “Other Russia,” an anti-Putin coalition, view Medvedev’s arrival as a chance for Russia to become more democratic and free. During his inauguration speech the new President called for developing “civil and economic freedom” and vowing to work for “a better” Russia. Medvedev also has a reputation of cooperating with the West and being an intellectual, having been hailed as an extremely capable lawyer (whether or not this is true is unknown).
However, everyone is aware of Putin’s prevailing power. Now is an incredibly unpredictable time in Russia’s history when the power of the President might actually shift to the Prime Minister. Personally, I believe this is exactly what will happen. As Putin will secure more and more power behind his new title, the new President will be left in the background.
