Putin appeals for unity as he takes the oath
Source: Agencies |
May 8, 2012, Tuesday
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VLADIMIR Putin took the oath as Russia's president yesterday with a ringing appeal for unity at the start of a six-year term in which he faces growing dissent, economic problems and bitter political rivalries.
Putin, 59, was sworn in with his right hand resting on the Russian constitution in a glittering ceremony in the Kremlin's former throne room attended by 2,000 dignitaries who applauded his every step along a long red carpet to the podium.
Outside the Kremlin's high red walls, police rounded up men and women in cafes wearing the white ribbons symbolizing a growing protest movement against Putin, having detained more than 400 people during clashes with protesters on Sunday.
"We will achieve our goals if we are a single, united people, if we hold our fatherland dear, strengthen Russian democracy, constitutional rights and freedoms," Putin said in a five-minute speech after taking the oath.
"I will do all I can to justify the faith of millions of our citizens. I consider it to be the meaning of my whole life and my obligation to serve my fatherland and our people."
Although he remained Russia's dominant leader for the past four years as prime minister, Putin has now taken back the formal reins of power he ceded to Dmitry Medvedev in 2008 after eight years as president.
The new, now six-year term will keep him in power until 2018, with the option of running for a fourth term.
Putin stated his commitment to democracy.
"We want to live and we will live in a democratic country where everyone has the freedom and opportunity to apply their talent and labor, their energy," he said.
Medvedev wrapped up his term as president with a short speech at the inauguration ceremony.
"I worked as I promised in taking the oath of office: openly and honestly in the interests of the people, doing everything I could so that they would be free and would look toward the future with confidence," Medvedev said.
Putin, as promised, formally nominated Medvedev as his prime minister.
Putin's wife, Lyudmila, rarely seen in public, was at the ceremony seated between Medvedev's wife and the widow of Boris Yeltsin, who chose Putin as his successor in 1999.
Putin, 59, was sworn in with his right hand resting on the Russian constitution in a glittering ceremony in the Kremlin's former throne room attended by 2,000 dignitaries who applauded his every step along a long red carpet to the podium.
Outside the Kremlin's high red walls, police rounded up men and women in cafes wearing the white ribbons symbolizing a growing protest movement against Putin, having detained more than 400 people during clashes with protesters on Sunday.
"We will achieve our goals if we are a single, united people, if we hold our fatherland dear, strengthen Russian democracy, constitutional rights and freedoms," Putin said in a five-minute speech after taking the oath.
"I will do all I can to justify the faith of millions of our citizens. I consider it to be the meaning of my whole life and my obligation to serve my fatherland and our people."
Although he remained Russia's dominant leader for the past four years as prime minister, Putin has now taken back the formal reins of power he ceded to Dmitry Medvedev in 2008 after eight years as president.
The new, now six-year term will keep him in power until 2018, with the option of running for a fourth term.
Putin stated his commitment to democracy.
"We want to live and we will live in a democratic country where everyone has the freedom and opportunity to apply their talent and labor, their energy," he said.
Medvedev wrapped up his term as president with a short speech at the inauguration ceremony.
"I worked as I promised in taking the oath of office: openly and honestly in the interests of the people, doing everything I could so that they would be free and would look toward the future with confidence," Medvedev said.
Putin, as promised, formally nominated Medvedev as his prime minister.
Putin's wife, Lyudmila, rarely seen in public, was at the ceremony seated between Medvedev's wife and the widow of Boris Yeltsin, who chose Putin as his successor in 1999.
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