Presidency of Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Medvedev took his oath as the third President of the Russian Federation on the 7th of May 2008 inside the Grand Kremlin Palace. He received a gold chain featuring double-headed eagles to symbolize the presidency during the ceremony. After placing his hand on the constitution, he declared that protecting civil and economic freedoms was his most important aim. He stated that Russia must fight for true respect of the law and overcome legal nihilism which hampered modern development. The inauguration coincided with Victory Day celebrations on the 9th of May so he attended a military parade at Red Square. He signed a decree shortly after providing housing to war veterans.
On the 8th of May 2008 Dmitry Medvedev appointed Vladimir Putin Prime Minister of Russia as promised during his election campaign. The State Duma approved the nomination with a clear majority of 392 votes against only 56 opposition votes from communist deputies. Media speculation quickly labeled this arrangement tandem rule since both men held immense power simultaneously. A September 2009 poll by the Levada Center showed 48 percent of Russians believed both leaders shared power equally while 32 percent thought Putin held more influence. Only 13 percent felt Medvedev wielded the most authority according to that survey. The Daily Telegraph noted that Medvedev used the formal form of you when addressing Putin while Putin addressed him with the informal version. Official Kremlin statements insisted the President retained constitutional supremacy over the Prime Minister despite public confusion about actual control.
Medvedev launched the Medvedev modernisation programme in late 2008 to decrease Russia's dependency on oil and gas revenues. The initiative focused on five priorities including efficient energy use nuclear technology information technology medical technology and pharmaceuticals plus space technology combined with telecommunications. He established the Skolkovo innovation center as part of this broader economic transformation effort. On the 7th of August 2009 he instructed Prosecutor General Yury Chayka to probe state corporations for their appropriateness. That same day he declared giant state corporations would inevitably be privatized even though the state had increased its role recently. In November 2010 he stressed greater privatization of unneeded state assets at federal and regional levels following a planned $32 billion three-year asset sales program. The money from these sales was intended to help modernize the economy while regions were rewarded for finding their own cash sources.
On the 19th of May 2008 Medvedev signed a decree creating an Anti-Corruption Council to fight government graft. His National Anti-Corruption Plan published in July 2008 suggested measures like disqualifying officials who committed minor corruption offenses. The bill called On Corruption Counteraction became Federal Law N 273-FZ when signed into law on the 25th of December 2008. Professor Richard Sakwa noted Russia now had serious if flawed legislation against corruption although preliminary results remained meagre. On the 10th of March 2009 he signed a presidential decree reforming the civil service system between 2009 and 2013. This included establishing new management systems and introducing effective technology for human resources operations. A January 2011 admission by President Medvedev stated that the government had failed so far in its anti-corruption measures. He continued efforts by signing amendments to the Criminal Code on the 4th of May 2011 which raised fines up to 100 times the bribe amount with maximum penalties reaching 500 million rubles.
Tensions between Georgia and Russian-supported separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia rose throughout 2008 before escalating dramatically. In the night of 7, the 8th of August Georgia launched a massive military attack against South Ossetia killing seven Russian peacekeepers. Russia reacted by sending forces into South Ossetia and launching air strikes against Georgian military infrastructure on the 8th of August. The conflict lasted five days until Georgian assault was repelled and its forces expelled from both separatist regions. On the 26th of August following a unanimous vote of the Federal Assembly Medvedev issued a decree officially recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. This action drew condemnation from G8 nations while driving tensions in Russia-United States relations to post-Cold War highs. The war became the most serious foreign policy event during his presidency.
On the 31st of August 2008 Medvedev announced a shift in Russian foreign policy built around five main principles known collectively as the Medvedev Doctrine. These principles stated that fundamental international law is supreme the world will be multipolar and Russia would not seek confrontation with other nations. He also promised to protect Russian citizens wherever they are and develop ties in friendly regions. In an address to parliament on the 5th of November 2008 he promised to deploy Iskander missile systems and radar-jamming facilities in Kaliningrad Oblast. This move aimed to counter U.S. missile defense systems in Eastern Europe. Following President Barack Obama's September 2009 announcement that Washington would not deploy elements in Czech Republic or Poland Medvedev decided against deploying those missiles. An open letter published in August 2009 blamed Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko for anti-Russian positions which later influenced pro-Russian policies of successor Viktor Yanukovych.
On the 24th of September 2011 during the United Russia party congress Medvedev recommended Vladimir Putin as the presidential candidate for the following year. He revealed that both men had already made a deal allowing Putin to run despite being ineligible in 2008 due to term limits. Medvedev added that he himself wanted to remain in government in some other capacity. Putin accepted the offer the same day and endorsed him for prime minister should United Russia win the upcoming legislative election. The party won the December 2011 parliamentary elections with significant support. Putin won the presidential election on the 4th of March 2012 and was inaugurated on the 7th of May when Medvedev's presidency officially ended. He then assumed the role of Prime Minister under his former partner's administration.
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Common questions
When did Dmitry Medvedev take his oath as President of the Russian Federation?
Dmitry Medvedev took his oath on the 7th of May 2008 inside the Grand Kremlin Palace. He received a gold chain featuring double-headed eagles to symbolize the presidency during the ceremony.
Who did Dmitry Medvedev appoint as Prime Minister of Russia in 2008?
On the 8th of May 2008 Dmitry Medvedev appointed Vladimir Putin Prime Minister of Russia. The State Duma approved the nomination with a clear majority of 392 votes against only 56 opposition votes from communist deputies.
What were the five priorities of the Medvedev modernisation programme launched in late 2008?
The initiative focused on efficient energy use nuclear technology information technology medical technology and pharmaceuticals plus space technology combined with telecommunications. He established the Skolkovo innovation center as part of this broader economic transformation effort.
Which countries did Dmitry Medvedev officially recognize as independent states in August 2008?
On the 26th of August following a unanimous vote of the Federal Assembly Medvedev issued a decree officially recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. This action drew condemnation from G8 nations while driving tensions in Russia-United States relations to post-Cold War highs.
When did Dmitry Medvedev's presidency officially end and who succeeded him?
Putin was inaugurated on the 7th of May when Medvedev's presidency officially ended after winning the presidential election on the 4th of March 2012. He then assumed the role of Prime Minister under his former partner's administration.