Russians voted for a new president on Sunday, March 2, in an election expected to deliver a big victory to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's favored successor, Dmitry Medvedev. According to preliminary statistics conducted by Russia's election committee on March 3, Medvedev won 70.23 percent of votes in Russia's presidential election with 99.45 percent of ballots already counted, earning himself a first round victory. Medvedev's closest opponent, Communist Gennady Zyuganov, garnered 17.76 percent of votes.
Even though the lid will be lifted on March 7, Medvedev is almost certain to be the next host of the Kremlin, with his mentor Putin staying on as the power behind the throne.
Medvedev, a 42-year-old first deputy prime minister, was expected to win the March 2 presidential election largely with the endorsement of the popular Putin.
A soft-spoken former lawyer, Medvedev appears less abrasive, and much gentler in style than the ex-KGB Putin. Nevertheless, he indicates every intention to continue Putin's assertive policies; and repeatedly expresses his willingness to work with Putin.
"If I am entrusted with leading the state, I will be obliged to continue President Vladimir Putin's policies. And it is my hope that, by working as a team, we will benefit our country," Medvedev said before the election.
Putin is constitutionally barred from running for a third consecutive term. However, he could serve next as prime minister in a Medvedev administration; and remain a central player in shaping Russian policies.
Most Russians see the double act of Putin and Mevedev as the best bet for prolonging their new-found prosperity: the country is enjoying its longest economic boom in a generation which is fueled by record prices in oil and gas.
However, problems lurk on the horizon. Inflation threatens to spin the economy out of control; the budget is vulnerable to a drop in oil prices; and Kremlin-watchers say the honeymoon between Putin and Medvedev could turn sour.
Their hand-in-hand image on Russia's political stage is time-honored and well-acknowledged among Russians. Many Russians say Medvedev's friendship with Putin has been decisive in his political elevation.
After Putin became prime minister and then president in 2000, he invited Medvedev to Moscow. Medvedev served as deputy chief of the Kremlin staff; later chief of staff; and then took on a high post at the world's biggest gas firm: the state-controlled Gazprom.
Investment bankers said Medvedev demonstrated his power in the Kremlin by pushing through a major reform of Gazprom that allowed the state to consolidate its control, but simultaneously opened up the firm's shares to foreign ownership.
Although the election in itself seemed short on drama, some analysts say there are signs there could be subtle policy changes under the new president.
Medvedev will be the youngest Russian leader since Tsar Nicholas II – when he is sworn in on May 7 – and the country's third president since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. His country, as well as the whole world, will watch his debut as President of a vast country and an emerging force on the world's stage.
All Russians may hope what he does will meet with his "Forward, Russia" campaign slogan.
By People's Daily Online
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