13:59 . 07/05
Vladimir Putin, who won in the March 4 presidential elections, was sworn in as Russian president today in a glittering Kremlin ceremony. It began with outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev saying farewell to the elite Presidential Regiment military unit.
Putin’s swearing in ceremony was held in the Kremlin's St Andrew Hall, where Medvedev passed the symbols of presidential power to president-elect Vladimir Putin. After Putin was sworn in, President of the Constitutional Court Valeri Zorkin announced Putin’s inauguration as president.
Approximately 3,000 people were invited to attend the ceremony, including members of the Russian Federation Government, State Duma deputies and members of the Federation Council, Constitutional Court judges, and representatives of other federal bodies of state power.
Members of Vladimir Putin’s presidential election campaign team and campaign headquarters, other candidates in the 2012 presidential election, heads of diplomatic missions, members of the clergy, academic and cultural figures, art workers and public figures also attended the event.
As Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Putin then received control of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces. This is the third term of Putin’s presidency, which will last 6 years. He was first elected a president in 2000 and re-elected in 2004.
