Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Back to the future

This time there were protests over Putin's ascension to the presidency.

Amid Protests, Putin Returns to Presidency in Russia

Vladimir V. Putin reclaimed the Russian presidency under the gold vaulted ceiling of a Kremlin palace on Monday, as police attempted to stamp out a second day of opposition protests in the city, passing on orders to detain anyone wearing a white ribbon.

In a ceremony anchored less in words than the physical attributes of power, Mr. Putin’s motorcade glided soundlessly through a city that seemed emptied of people. Inside the Kremlin’s battlement, he then walked over a long red carpet through a series of large chambers until he reached one as lustrous and intricate as a jewel box.

There Mr. Putin took the oath of office for a third time, extending his status as Russia’s paramount leader to a total of 18 years. He has said he may run for a fourth six-year term after that, meaning he could legally remain in power until 2024.

Mr. Putin, who will turn 60 in the fall, looked grave — and at times burdened — as he delivered a short address to a roomful of ministers, religious leaders and a sprinkling of international figures, including his close friend, the former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

“I will do my best to justify the trust of millions of our citizens,” Mr. Putin said. “I think it is the meaning of my whole life, and it is my duty to serve our country, serve our people. This support encourages me and inspires me and helps me address the most difficult tasks. We have passed a long and difficult road together.”

Teaching Comparative blog entries are indexed.