Date:09/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/09/stories/2008050954981000.htm

Opinion - Editorials

Dream team in office

The inauguration of Dmitry Medvedev as Russia’s new President on May 7 and the prompt nomination the next day of his predecessor Vladimir Putin as the new Prime Minister marked a milestone in the country’s post-Soviet evolution. It is for the first time in Russia’s history that the outgoing leader did not vanish into oblivion but stayed on to help the new leader consolidate his power and gain experience. The first perfectly smooth, orderly and constitutio nal transfer of power was the ultimate triumph for Mr. Putin’s eight-year long presidency. Having rebuilt Russia’s economic and military might and restored its global status, Mr. Putin handed over power to a democratically elected successor, his long-time ally and disciple. In another historic first, Russia now has two centres of supreme authority. One, the President with sweeping constitutional powers and the other, a hugely popular Prime Minister, who is simultaneously leader of the dominant political party, United Russia, which controls both houses of Parliament. The new power-sharing arrangement should help advance political reforms aimed at creating a credible separation of powers, strong political parties, influential Parliament, independent judiciary and free media.

The Medvedev-Putin partnership guarantees stability and continuity for the world’s largest country. It is also endorsed by a strong majority of Russians. Mr. Putin’s approval ratings topped 80 per cent towards the end of his term, and his favoured candidate Mr. Medvedev won the presidential election by a landslide. The combination of Mr. Medvedev’s youth — at 42 he is the youngest leader Russia has ever had — sharp intellect and liberal outlook, with Mr. Putin’s competence and grasp of problems makes them a truly “dream team” to steer the country toward further resurgence. The two leaders have jointly drawn up an ambitious programme for Russia’s all-round modernisation till 2020. It calls for switching from an oil-dependent economy to a high-tech economy; for overhauling and streamlining the state apparatus; and for clamping down on corruption. In foreign policy, the Medvedev-Putin team has vowed to continue the pragmatic course of the past eight years closely geared to the task of facilitating domestic growth while firmly upholding Russia’s national interests. Mr. Putin’s premiership is good news for India as it was under his leadership that the two countries have rebuilt their strategic partnership. The change of guard in the Kremlin is also a chance for New Delhi to work out a new agenda to boost the slumbering trade and upgrade bilateral ties.