Medvedev becomes Russia's leader

[[R_H]]

BBC

Dmitry Medvedev has promised to extend Russia's civil and economic freedoms after being sworn in as new president.

"Human rights and freedoms... are deemed of the highest value for our society," he said at a lavish inauguration ceremony in the Kremlin.

Mr Medvedev took over from Vladimir Putin, becoming Russia's third leader since the collapse of the USSR in 1991.

Within hours, Mr Medvedev, 42, nominated Mr Putin, his mentor, as prime minister.

"Medvedev has put forward Putin's candidacy for prime minister to parliament," a Kremlin spokesman said.

Mr Putin has a large majority in parliament and is expected to take up his new post as early as Thursday.

The 55-year-old former KGB agent was barred by the constitution from running for a third consecutive presidential term in the March elections.

Gun salute

Mr Medvedev won a landslide victory in the polls, and Wednesday's inauguration capped his sharp ascendance from obscurity.

It was held in the Kremlin's magnificent St Andrew's Hall.

The ceremony began with an honour guard bringing in the symbols of the presidential office.

Mr Putin then made a short speech, describing the handover of power as "a hugely important stage" for Russia.

"It's extremely important... to continue the course that has already been taken and has justified itself," said Mr Putin, referring to his eight years in power.

Mr Medvedev then took an oath on a red-bound copy of the Russian constitution.

In a brief speech, he pledged to work for "a better" Russia, developing "civil and economic freedom".

He said that "human rights and freedoms... determine the meaning and content of all state activity".

Mr Medvedev also stressed he would "pay special attention to the fundamental role of the law".

He then thanked Mr Putin for his personal support, saying he hoped he would enjoy such backing in the future.

A 30-gun salute was then fired from the Kremlin embankment to mark Mr Medvedev's inauguration.

The grand ceremony was the expression of a new confidence that oil- and gas-rich Russia now feels, correspondents say.

Lengthy partnership

Having campaigned as Mr Putin's protege and tied himself to his mentor's policies as soon as his victory became known, analysts say it is no surprise that Mr Putin will continue to play a central role.

An economic liberal, Mr Medvedev has served Mr Putin as first deputy prime minister, chairman of Gazprom - Russia's enormous state-run gas monopoly, campaign chief and chief of staff.

But his working relationship with his predecessor goes back much further.

A lawyer by training, in the 1990s Mr Medvedev was an assistant professor at St Petersburg State University, during which time he became an expert consultant for the city's mayor - one Vladimir Putin.

And, analysts suggest, their partnership looks set to continue.

But the question of who wields the real power in the Kremlin will continue to fascinate, puzzle and perplex, the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says.

Mr Putin will remain Russia's most popular politician for the foreseeable future, which will give him huge influence over the man he mentored as his successor, our correspondent says.

'Wait and see'

The Kremlin's lack of tolerance for dissenters was highlighted on Tuesday as police detained dozens of would-be protestors in advance of a planned rally by The Other Russia, an opposition group led by world chess champion Garry Kasparov.

However, there are hopes - both in Russia and abroad - that the country will be changing under Mr Medvedev.

"Any day that you can exchange a member of the secret police for a law professor is a good day," international lawyer Robert Amsterdam, who represents jailed Yukos boss Mikhail Khodorkovsky, told the BBC.

"We'll simply have to wait and see," he added.

[Illuminatus Primus]

The Partido Revolutionario Institucional-ization of the Russian state is complete.

[Patrick Degan]

Of course, the real test will be to see if Putin can make Medvedev talk while drinking a glass of water. Of course, he's probably been getting tips on that trick from fellow oil baron/evil overlord Dick Cheney.

[Guardsman Bass]

The Partido Revolutionario Institucional-ization of the Russian state is complete.

Nah, the PRI was gentler. They bought off their opponents, or at least tried to, before offing them - at least after 1928.

That said, I was actually hoping for some real emulation of PRI leadership here, but it looks like Dmitri Medvedev is no Lazaro Cardenas (I can't see him undermining then exiling Putin, the way Cardenas did Plutarco Elias Calles when Calles tried to make him into his 4th puppet president).

[K. A. Pital]

The Kremlin's lack of tolerance for dissenters was highlighted on Tuesday as police detained dozens of would-be protestors in advance of a planned rally by The Other Russia, an opposition group led by world chess champion Garry Kasparov.

I doubt any of the Western journalists who constantly mention "the Other Russia" would feel comfortable standing next to it's, um... members.

[Sidewinder]

Well, I wish Mr. Medvedev luck in improving the living conditions of Russian citizens. If Ivan Q. Public has enough food, reliable electrical service, housing that doesn't look like US Army barracks (I can say, from personal experience, that the barracks are shitholes that third world countries will find an embarrassing sight), and enough kerosene to avoid freezing to death in winter, then we'd probably see less "My penis is bigger than the US President's" type of saber-rattling.

Of course, the real test will be to see if Putin can make Medvedev talk while drinking a glass of water. Of course, he's probably been getting tips on that trick from fellow oil baron/evil overlord Dick Cheney.

If it's true that Cheney was the one who convinced Bush to invade Iraq (and proved both of them are delusional jackasses), then we can say Putin learned what NOT to do when exercising his power by proxy.

I doubt any of the Western journalists who constantly mention "the Other Russia" would feel comfortable standing next to it's, um... members.

Are these the guys you described as fascists and ultranational racists? Considering what I've seen in Western journalism, we can probably say they'll be too fucking stupid to realize they're supposed to be uncomfortable standing next to Other Russia members.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Are these the guys you described as fascists and ultranational racists? Considering what I've seen in Western journalism, we can probably say they'll be too fucking stupid to realize they're supposed to be uncomfortable standing next to Other Russia members.

Stas described them in unflattering terms before. The only thing is Western Journalism is much happier fanning Russophobia than to pay attention at the platforms these crooks are running on.

[Vympel]

Stas described them in unflattering terms before. The only thing is Western Journalism is much happier fanning Russophobia than to pay attention at the platforms these crooks are running on.

You just need to see the pictures of them to see what they're all about. One of the coaltion members has a combination of the swastika and sickle & hammer as their logo, for fuck's sake. You won't see that in Western press photos though. Kasparov's a fucking idiot, a potential von Papen who'll luckily never be in the position to be made that much of a fool.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Stas described them in unflattering terms before. The only thing is Western Journalism is much happier fanning Russophobia than to pay attention at the platforms these crooks are running on.

You just need to see the pictures of them to see what they're all about. One of the coaltion members has a combination of the swastika and sickle & hammer as their logo, for fuck's sake. You won't see that in Western press photos though. Kasparov's a fucking idiot, a potential von Papen who'll luckily never be in the position to be made that much of a fool.

Do you have links to that?

[K. A. Pital]

CommuNazis?


You better admit, they are. Because Limonov's NBP (National Bolshevik Party) is essentially a Nazi Party (the "bolshevik" aspect refers to the need to come to power via Violent Revolution, unlike the NSDAP) is the largest and most popular party amidst "Other Russia" members.

Even the communists have dissuaded from "Other Russia" because they are complete lunatics and anyone associating with them will lose sympathies of Russians real fast.

And here's the Ultra Nationalist Wing:

Banner of Imperial Russia.

The people in "Other Russia" include Limonov - the clown behind NBP (his party is mostly made of young student radicals) and Maria Gaigar, daughter of the architect of Russian "prihvatization" Yegor Gaigar, whose mere name, like that of Chubais, throws most Russians into a fit of rage.

But of course whenever Russia comes into view, those clowns are champions of "FREEDOM" in Russian media.

Somehow, simple commies, say, from KPRF, for example who run HUNDREDS of opposition Rallies in Russia YEARLY, are not faved by the West ( hahaha), but those kooks are.

[Sidewinder]

Somehow, simple commies, say, from KPRF, for example who run HUNDREDS of opposition Rallies in Russia YEARLY, are not faved by the West ( hahaha), but those kooks are.

Maybe it's because many members of the Western media are closet Fascists who think they're especially gifted with intelligence and insight to "think for" their viewers/listeners/readers. (I'm fairly certain Hitler made a statement to the German public to NOT think, because he's thinking for them.)

[K. A. Pital]

I've noted long that the media, especially international ones, rarely pay attention to the real political position of those in power, or the opposition. They make decision on some totally mysterious factors, who is "good" and who is "bad", who warrants any attention and who does not need any.

[[R_H]]

Putin confirmed as new Russian PM (BBC)

Russia's parliament has overwhelmingly approved former President Vladimir Putin as the new prime minister.

He handed over to Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday - his chosen successor, who was elected president in March.

The State Duma (lower house) voted 392-56 in favour of Mr Putin. His United Russia bloc dominates the house.

In a speech just before the vote, Mr Putin told parliament that he would strive for "single-digit inflation within a few years".

He said Russia could overtake the UK in terms of GDP this year, becoming the world's sixth-largest economy. Reducing the tax burden and widening the shareholder class were further priorities, he said.

Within hours of being sworn in on Wednesday, Mr Medvedev had nominated Mr Putin, his mentor, as prime minister.

Analysts say the powers of the prime minister will expand under Mr Putin, and he may in effect govern Russia jointly with the president.

Mr Medvedev told the deputies: "I don't think anyone doubts that our tandem, our co-operation will only strengthen."

Economic ambitions

Mr Putin, a 55-year-old former KGB agent, was barred by the constitution from running for a third consecutive presidential term in the March elections.

The question of who wields the real power in the Kremlin will continue to fascinate, puzzle and perplex, the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says.

Mr Putin will remain Russia's most popular politician for the foreseeable future, which will give him huge influence over the man he mentored as his successor, our correspondent says.

In his speech to the Duma on Thursday, Mr Putin said that "to stimulate an increase in production and refining of oil, it is time to cut the tax burden in that sector".

He said Russia must rank with the world's leading nations on key indicators such as levels of income and social welfare, quality of education, health and life expectancy.

He also spoke of the need to create "a real mass class of investors", saying even people on modest incomes should be able to hold shares.

Reform battles

But the BBC's Russia analyst Steven Eke says Mr Putin's tasks will be difficult and politically fraught.

On the eve of Victory Day - which marks the Soviet triumph in World War II - he promised decent housing for the dwindling numbers of war veterans.

But previous attempts to reform social benefits have led to anti-government demonstrations, which prompted Mr Putin to postpone some unpopular economic decisions, our analyst writes.

According to international lawyer Robert Amsterdam, who defended jailed Yukos boss Mikhail Khodorkovsky, President Medvedev may still have some tough battles to fight in the Kremlin.

"There is a clan contest going on at the highest levels in Russia, there are different groups that control various aspects of Russian policy... there are hardline groups challenging Mr Medvedev even at this point," he told the BBC News website.

Mr Medvedev will seek to improve Russia's image abroad, he predicted, as "there is a tremendous need that many in the elite see to move closer to the West". One motivating factor is a desire to accumulate Western assets, he added.

[K. A. Pital]

3 pro-United Russia parties and United Russia voted for Putin, and the commies voted in opposition, being the only ones.

In a speech just before the vote, Mr Putin told parliament that he would strive for "single-digit inflation within a few years".

Doubt it'll happen the way things stand. I feel kinda sorry for Mr.Pu. A total clusterfuck of mafia after Yeltsin, and now the coming oil and food price crisis.

[[R_H]]

3 pro-United Russia parties and United Russia voted for Putin, and the commies voted in opposition, being the only ones.

Why did the Communist Party oppose?

He said Russia must rank with the world's leading nations on key indicators such as levels of income and social welfare, quality of education, health and life expectancy.

Are those empty words, or will they genuinely try to bring those indicators up to Soviet levels, or even exceed them?

[K. A. Pital]

Why did the Communist Party oppose?

Because Putin is Yeltsin's successor, because he continues the course for capitalism, but now makes it authoritarian capitalism, and because he opresses commies.

Are those empty words, or will they genuinely try to bring those indicators up to Soviet levels, or even exceed them?

That would be increasingly hard. The World Bank once calculated that within a few years, Russia could half it's poverty, but that's only if no other factors arise.

Other factors - rising fuel and food prices - did arise, and so growth of income declined. In some regions it might be spinning backwards, because hte food inflation outpaced the growth of wages, and people spend up to 70% of wage on food.

Economic welfare in Russia today acts in full accordance with capitalist principles. People who are capitalists, or employed in wealthy industries, are well-off. Pensioneers, elderly, sickly and others - teachers, doctros - who rely on the social system - are very fucked.

The pension is still either lower, or just a little above the "official life expense minimum", i.e. the minimum number of money required to survive in Russia. Same with teacher, doctor (social worker) salaries.

They were as low as 3,500 roubles, which is lower than the life minimum at the time and not enough to pay for the rent and food. That's about 160 USD.

What kind of "progress" can that signifiy? Very simple. A Pinochetian one. "The economy" growth, but large swathes of poeple are fucked, and the trickledown nonsense of course does not work.

[Lonestar]

So, I read in the AP that...

Putin has said he feels no need to hang the portrait of Russia's new president in his office in a traditional sign of respect. Other government officials will hang a picture of Medvedev and have to decide whether to take down Putin. Many are expected to hedge their bets by displaying both.

Classy.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Comrade Putin's spirit lives on the hearts of all Russians....

[Patrick Degan]

So, I read in the AP that...

Putin has said he feels no need to hang the portrait of Russia's new president in his office in a traditional sign of respect. Other government officials will hang a picture of Medvedev and have to decide whether to take down Putin. Many are expected to hedge their bets by displaying both.

And why would Putin hang a picture of his bitch on his office wall?

[Pelranius]

It would be nice to show a little courtesy, just so that it Putin's control over Medvedev doesn't look too blatant if nothing else.

[Adrian Laguna]

It would be nice to show a little courtesy, just so that it Putin's control over Medvedev doesn't look too blatant if nothing else.

At this point, the only way it could look more blatant is if Putin attached literal strings to Medvedev's body and controlled the guy's movements by pulling them.