Xinhuanet feature: Medvedev officially succeeded Putin as president on May 7. The reporter recently interviewed Russians and found that most of them are optimistic and calm about the replacement of state leaders. They believe that the people’s life in the "Medvedev era" will continue to improve, and the new president will lead Russia to move forward along the "Putin line."
This TV screenshot of Russian RTR TV station on May 7 shows that Medvedev was sworn in as the president of the Russian Federation in Moscow that day. Xinhua News Agency/AFP
Inherit a rich political legacy
Vladimir konovalov, a 57-year-old worker at Moscow Electric Machinery Factory, is a supporter of United Russia. Konovalov said that Russia is entering the "Medvedev era". Medvedev will continue to carry out reforms and effectively develop the national economy after taking office, but all this must be attributed to the valuable political legacy left by Putin. It is Putin who has defended national unity, achieved national unity, reversed the domestic economic downturn and won the trust of the people, all of which are prerequisites for the further development of the country.
Konovalov said that during Putin’s years in office, the income of ordinary people, especially low-income people, has been greatly increased, and everyone is very grateful for this. It is this credit that makes Putin a public opinion leader with unprecedented support rate in Russia. Although inflation has not been effectively controlled during his term of office, people are still full of confidence in the future because the income level of residents has been improving.
When Putin came to power, the situation he faced was much more complicated. His urgent task at that time was to end sharp ethnic conflicts, curb the deteriorating momentum of people’s livelihood, eliminate the constant attacks by terrorists in the North Caucasus, avoid the disintegration of the army, and the distrust of the Russian people in the authorities after frequent political fluctuations. These problems have been effectively solved during Putin’s tenure. From a certain point of view, Medvedev is luckier. He came to power in a relatively stable period. Although there are internal and external troubles, it is not so sharp.
Internal affairs: not simply inherited
Sergei Kutakhov, an expert at the St. Petersburg Institute of Political Studies, believes that Russia’s transition from the "Putin era" to the "Medvedev era" has been quite smooth.
He believes that Medvedev will undoubtedly continue to implement various development policies set by Putin. He said that in the past, when the new president took office, there was always a sharp difference in line with the former president, but now the situation is completely different, which is a new phenomenon in Russian political life. This shows that the political high-level officials have reached an agreement on the political line.
Economically, Russia is currently an influential energy power and the seventh largest economy in the world. Obviously, Medvedev will also make good use of the opportunities he faces to actively develop the economy and push Russia’s economic ranking forward. In addition to energy means, Medvedev is trying to promote new liberal values in Russia, including respecting private property and intellectual property rights, supporting the development of agriculture, animal husbandry and small and medium-sized enterprises, etc. Some of these areas will become new locomotives of Russian economic development.
If Putin mainly relies on petrodollars to achieve economic development breakthrough, then Medvedev will face a more complicated task-to improve the country’s economic strength by cultivating and developing innovative economy. In fact, this task also occupies a place in Putin’s policy, but it will be a typical feature of economic policy in the "Medvedev era" to a greater extent. In this respect, Medvedev’s policy is not a simple inheritance compared with Putin’s period, but an innovative move.
Diplomacy: Meeting Western Challenges
With the increasing prestige and competitiveness of Russia in the world, it has also encountered greater pressure and containment from the United States and other western countries. This power to contain Russia will continue to increase, especially in the early days of Medvedev’s presidency. Western political opponents will inevitably try to test Medvedev’s strength with this pressure, which will undoubtedly push Russia to seek new cooperation with its strategic partners-CIS countries, China, India and other developing countries.
Konstantin Galipaud, a reporter from Voice of Russia Radio, said that Medvedev, as president-elect, made the first contact with the leaders of the United States, Germany, Japan, Egypt and other countries. Judging from his performance, he would have no difficulty in pursuing his own foreign policy. Medvedev served as the chief of the president’s office, the first deputy prime minister and a member of the security Council. He was one of the co-makers of Russian foreign policy. In addition, he also served as the main person in charge of some foreign affairs. For example, as the chairman of the Russian Organizing Committee, he was responsible for the organization of the "Year of the Country" between China and Russia.
He believes that Putin’s outstanding performance in the diplomatic field is enough for Medvedev to refer to, but according to various circumstances, Medvedev is definitely not a novice in diplomatic occasions. However, the west is not willing to admit that there is a new outstanding leader in Russia quickly, and begins to do its best to widen the gap between Putin and Medvedev’s image and slander and slander Medvedev, which will become a new challenge for Medvedev personally. (Liu Yang, reporter of this website in Moscow) (Editor: Liu Ruichang)
Editor: Li Xiuwei