In the spotlight: Dmitry Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev was sworn in as the third President of the Russian Federation on May 7, replacing Vladimir Putin. Medvedev installed Putin as Russia's prime minister the same day.

The inauguration ceremony, characterized by tsarist splendor, took place in the Grand Kremlin Palace's St Andrew's Hall, the throne hall of Russian tsars, and was meant to mark the beginning of Medvedev's term in office, as well as to pay tribute to the outgoing president.

Medvedev's presidency is widely expected to be a continuation of his predecessor's policies. During the inauguration ceremony, Putin, who is likely to retain much of his power in the country, mentioned the need to maintain the course that he had steered and which has, according to him, proved right.

Analysts said that the newly elected president would, for the most part, avoid conflicts with the West in order to further capitalize on Russia's oil and gas resources. Although a Putin loyalist, Medvedev is considered a moderately liberal pragmatist and a softer politician than his predecessor. In his inaugural address, Medvedev stressed the importance of developing civil and economic freedoms.

Born in 1965 to a family of university teachers, Medvedev graduated from the law department of Saint Petersburg [then Leningrad] State University in 1987, where he worked for most of the 1990s. From 1991-1996, he served as a legal expert for the St Petersburg Mayor's Office, which was then headed by Putin. From 1999 on, he held top political positions in Moscow, including the head of the presidential staff and first deputy prime minister. He was also chair of Gazprom's board of directors.

On March 2, 2008, Medvedev was elected Russia's president. On May 9, the incumbent and the outgoing presidents jointly participated in celebrations commemorating the end of World War II.