Dmitri Medvedev (1965-), President of Russia, taking the oath of office
Russia’s third post-Soviet president, Dmitri Medvedev, was sworn into office at an inauguration ceremony in Moscow today. Dmitri Medvedev’s inauguration became the fifth swearing-in ceremony in the history of the Russian presidency. This is now an already established tradition, a set of rituals symbolising the continuity and legitimacy of a handover of power. The current ceremony began with the outgoing head of state, Vladimir Putin, bidding farewell to the presidential guards, after which the National Flag and the Presidential Standard were carried into the Andreyevsky Hall of the Great Kremlin Palace, which was filled with Russian and foreign dignitaries. The ceremony was attended by representatives of all branches of the government.
At noon, Dmitri Medvedev’s motorcade drove into the Kremlin through the Spasskiye Gates that are only opened once every four years for the inauguration of the head of state. The president-elect walked through the enfilade of the palace’s halls to the accompaniment of the Welcoming March. In his brief address to the crowd of Russian and foreign dignitaries before handing his successor the chain of office, the outgoing head of state Vladimir Putin said the following words.
“The swearing-in of the president-elect is a very responsible moment in the democratic process of power formation. This should be a unifying moment for all Russian regions, all national political forces, and all civil society. Today, it’s extremely important for everyone together to continue on course for the country’s development, which has already been taken and has justified itself”. Mr Putin believes that only this course can help Russia become a socially-oriented and truly-developed state, make innovative breakthroughs, and bolster its international position.
After that, President-Elect Dmitri Medvedev took the presidential oath of office. “I vow, in performing my duties as President of the Russian Federation, to respect and protect human and civil rights and liberties, to observe and protect the Constitution, to protect the sovereignty and independence, security, and integrity of the state, and to serve the people faithfully”. Valery Zorkin, the Constitutional Court Chairman, proclaimed Dmitri Medvedev President of the Russian Federation. Mr Putin handed Mr Medvedev the chain of office. The Presidential Standard was hoisted over the Kremlin Palace to the sounds of the national anthem.
In his 6-minute inaugural address, Mr Medvedev outlined the following priorities. “I took the presidential oath of loyalty to the people. Its first lines are a commitment to respect and protect human rights and freedoms, for they are deemed of the highest value for our society and determine the meaning and content of the entire state activity. I consider it my most important task to ensure the further development of civic and economic freedoms and the creation of new and broadest possible opportunities for the self-realisation of our citizens, citizens who are free and responsible both for their personal success and their country’s prosperity”.
After the inauguration, the new President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Dmitri Medvedev and former president Vladimir Putin inspected the presidential regiment in the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square.
7 May 2008
Vyacheslav Solovyov
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=26750&cid=56&p=07.05.2008 (in English)
Voice of Russia World Service
