Translated material
Vertical of dual power
Vladimir Putin agreed to head the government after the election of Dmitry Medvedev
Yesterday, Russians were officially told who will govern the country after the 2008 presidential elections. The Russian political lexicon now includes the concept of “Putin-Medvedev tandem.” Moreover, President Medvedev promised in his post to implement Putin’s plan, although it is Mr. Putin who will work for the new president as prime minister, that is, the head of the executive branch. Thus, in Russia, Putin’s one-man “vertical of power” must be replaced by a legitimate dual power.The VIII Congress of the United Russia party on December 17 officially nominated First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev for the post of head of state. And the current president, Vladimir Putin, agreed to become prime minister under Mr. Medvedev after his term expired. Of course, if he wins the presidential elections on March 2, 2008. The head of United Russia, Boris Gryzlov, whom the congress approved for a “second term” as speaker of the State Duma and leader of the faction, for his part promised that the party in power, which has a constitutional majority in the lower house of parliament, will certainly support Mr. Putin’s candidacy for premiership.
The work of the congress began with a welcoming speech by Vladimir Putin, in which he generously showered his successor with compliments. “Working in various very important areas, which at first glance seemed absolutely neglected and overwhelming, Dmitry Anatolyevich turned from a good lawyer and expert into an excellent strong-willed administrator with state-minded thinking,” the president said. He also called Mr. Medvedev “an exceptionally honest and decent person” into whose hands “it is not a shame or fear to transfer control of the country.”
As Mr. Putin listened, Mr. Medvedev looked modestly at the floor. And the president continued: “If the citizens of Russia place their trust in Dmitry Medvedev and elect him as president of the country, then I will be ready to head the government.” He also promised not to redistribute power between the president and the head of government.
Mr. Putin said that the continuation of his political career as prime minister was “realistic” at the first part of the United Russia congress on October 1, when he agreed to head the party’s election list . And the other day, Dmitry Medvedev himself approached him with a similar proposal - a day after on December 10, four parties - “United Russia”, “A Just Russia”, the Agrarian Party and “Civic Force” - nominated Mr. Medvedev for president during a meeting of his party leaders with Mr. Putin. After a spectacular pause of just under a week, Vladimir Putin agreed.
Speaking at the congress, Dmitry Medvedev expressed gratitude to United Russia and all the political parties that proposed his candidacy. He noted that consultations with party leaders took place last week. Mr. Medvedev promised at the highest government post to dynamically develop the economy, support the countryside, and provide new opportunities for small businesses. “I am convinced that the full implementation of this strategy is only possible together with its author, Vladimir Putin. That is why, when I agreed to run, I offered him the post of prime minister, and I am very glad that he agreed,” Mr. Medvedev said.
United Russia decided not to discuss Mr. Medvedev's candidacy at all, but to immediately proceed to a secret ballot. The chairman of the counting commission, Valery Ryazansky, told the congress delegates that there was only one name on the ballots distributed to them - Dmitry Medvedev. Those who did not agree with his nomination were asked to “cross out Medvedev’s name with a horizontal line.” Of the 479 voting participants, only one person dared to do this, whose name is unknown - the voting is secret. The remaining 478 delegates approved the choice of President Putin.
In his closing remarks, Mr Medvedev promised: “Together we will win.”
Having finished with government affairs, United Russia members moved on to internal party affairs and made personnel changes in the governing bodies. Evgeniy Trofimov and Vladimir Katrenko were removed from the Supreme Council due to their transfer to another job. But it was replenished with heads of regional election lists of United Russia, which “received the greatest support from voters” in the State Duma elections. Among them were the Governor of the Penza Region Vasily Bochkarev, the President of Ingushetia Murat Zyazikov, the President of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov , the Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Tuva Sholban Kara-ool, the head of North Ossetia Taimuraz Mamsurov and the President of Kabardino-Balkaria Arsen Kanokov. In the regions they lead, according to official data, there was almost one hundred percent turnout in the Duma elections.
Then United Russia made changes to the charter, reflecting the presence of three ideological platforms in the party - liberal, social and conservative, which are called upon to conduct constructive internal party discussions among themselves. The final chord of the congress was the proposal of the candidacy of Boris Gryzlov for the posts of speaker of the Duma of the fifth convocation and head of the United Russia faction.