If the Constitution had not been changed in 2020 to remain in power, as he had promised several times, Vladimir Putin would not be the protagonist today. But he changed it and the Duma, at the proposal of the deputy and former cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, proclaimed that Russia cannot live without him. With all the power in his hands, Putin took office for his fifth term as president of Russia this Tuesday, May 7, after winning elections in March without real opposition (87.27%) and with his Army advancing on the front. from Ukraine.
After taking the oath, the Russian leader thanked “Russians in all regions and all those who fight for the homeland.”
In a clear reference to the conflict with the neighboring country and the confrontation with Western countries, he repeated that Russia is not opposed to dialogue, although he expressed confidence in Russia’s victory. “We do not reject dialogue with Western countries,” he said in the Grand Kremlin Palace.
According to the Russian president, dialogue with the West on security and strategic stability is “possible,” but he warned that it should be carried out “only on equal terms, respecting each other’s interests.” And he asked himself: “Do they intend to continue trying to stop Russia’s development, continue the policy of aggression and the pressure that has not ceased for years on our country, or seek ways of cooperation and peace? (…) It depends on them”
With today’s majestic ceremony, the Russian leader begins the process that will keep him in power forever, since that reform granted him two additional six-year terms. He will be able to run again in 2030 and lead the country until May 2036, months before his 84th birthday.
With the inauguration they also begin a week-long series of events in which they will show the world their power. On Thursday, May 9, the military parade is held as every year to commemorate the Soviet victory against Nazi Germany in World War II. This celebration is fundamental in Putin’s political system. And even more so in the current times of war, since the Kremlin assures that in Ukraine Russian troops are fighting against “neo-Nazism.”
It is also an opportunity to highlight his determination to win in Ukraine. Currently, with the Ukrainian troops short of personnel and waiting for Western military aid, the situation on the front favors the Russians, who since the failed Kyiv counteroffensive last year have had the initiative and have gone on the offensive. Moscow’s forces continue to gain ground in the Ukrainian provinces of Kharkiv and, above all, Donetsk, where they have been capturing one town after another west of the city of Avdiyivka.
“We are a united and great people, together we will overcome obstacles and carry out what we planned and win,” Putin said. Russia will emerge “stronger” from this “difficult period,” he promised.
Putin’s show of force actually began on Monday, when he ordered his Armed Forces to prepare military exercises with tactical nuclear weapons in response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s statements about the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine; and those of the British Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, who said that Kyiv had the right to use British weapons against Russian territory. Moscow considers his words “threats” against Russia.
As in 2018, shortly before noon the Russian leader moved from the Kremlin’s Senate Palace, where he has his office, to the Grand Kremlin Palace in an Aurus limousine, a Russian-made executive class car.
The solemn proclamation took place in the ceremonial rooms of the Grand Kremlin Palace: St. Andrew’s, Alexander’s and St. George’s. This has been the usual scenario since 2000. In the previous decade, the first Russian president, Boris Yeltsin, took the oath of office in the Kremlin Palace of Congresses.
With a step between martial and informal, Putin went to the St. Andrew’s room, where among the Kremlin tinsel, some 2,500 guests were waiting for him in a corridor: the country’s political elite, including deputies, senators, regional governors and religious leaders, as well as representatives foreign.
Among the latter, absences have stood out. The United Kingdom, Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic announced the day before that they would not send their ambassadors, a way of signaling their opposition to the Kremlin’s policy and especially to the presence of Russian troops in Ukraine.
The United States also did not send any representatives. Washington does not consider the March elections legitimate, but does recognize Putin as president of Russia, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Monday.
In the St. Andrew’s Hall, at the key moment of the ceremony, Putin went up to the rostrum and pronounced the oath included in article 82 of the Constitution. With his right hand on a copy of the Magna Carta, he swore to “respect and protect human and civil rights and freedoms, fulfill and protect the Fundamental Law of the Russian Federation, protect the sovereignty and independence, security and integrity of the State.” , faithfully serve the people.”
The formal event ended with the president of the Constitutional Court solemnly informing the head of state of the official beginning of his mandate. Finally, the Russian anthem and applause from the guests.
“It is a great honor, a responsibility and a sacred duty,” Putin said when he spoke.
As established by the Russian Constitution itself, when a president assumes a new mandate, the Government must resign in full. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, in office since January 2020, will announce the dismissal of the head of state’s cabinet and will remain in office until the election of a new government.
That doesn’t mean I can’t repeat it. In fact, on Monday Putin himself confirmed to the ministers in a meeting that he held with them that there will be “continuity.”
Although he has two weeks to do so, the Russian press hopes that Putin will again propose Mishustin as head of the Executive as soon as possible. Kremlin spokesman Dimitri Peskov has said the proposal could come within hours. The Duma will later approve the candidacy and then Putin will reappoint him.