Analysts wonder how, or even whether, the new president, Putin's handpicked successor, would share power with his mentor.
Russians elect Medvedev in landslide
MOSCOW — Russians elected 42-year-old lawyer Dmitry Medvedev as their new president in a landslide victory, heralding unpredictable times for this huge, oil- and gas-rich land.
With 80% of the ballots counted, the Central Election Commission reported that he had collected 69% of the votes, far outpacing his three challengers.
For eight years, Russia has grown richer and more influential under President Vladimir V. Putin's steady, often steely hand. With Putin now planning to move into the prime minister's post, the greatest and most unanswerable question hanging over Moscow these days is how he and his protege will share power between them. Some observers are skeptical that either will be willing to play second fiddle for long.
Putin, prevented by the constitution from seeking a third term as president, has shown no eagerness to relinquish authority. Instead, he handpicked his successor and indicated months ago that he would become premier in Medvedev's administration, and that the two men would work together in coming years. Putin recently referred to the prime minister's job as the highest executive authority, although as president he ruled supreme.
The image of executive power shared amiably between two leaders has provoked heavy skepticism here. This country of ruthless politics and brutal history has traditionally been ruled by a single strongman, be it a czar, party leader or president.
"The danger lies not just in the traditional incompatibility of two powerful positions, but also in Medvedev's psychological makeup," said Leonid Sedov, senior researcher at Moscow's Levada Center, an independent polling agency. "I don't think he's just a puppet or just a person without his own character. I think he's a stronger man than he seems."
Some of Putin's critics have predicted that he will continue calling the shots, using Medvedev as a compliant tool. Putin may even try to transfer some authority from the presidency to the premiership, others predicted, although he has said he wouldn't consider altering the existing power structure.
"For the time being, the key decisions will be made by both of them," said Sergei Markov, a lawmaker with Putin's United Russia party who's close to the Kremlin. "We don't know what their relations will be later, but for the time being they will be two people with one hand of power."
