Guests began arriving at the Kremlin Palace about an hour ahead of the ceremony. Two thousand people had been invited: ministers, lawmakers, judges, military officers, senators, regional government leaders, public activists. A large group arrived from Saint Petersburg, where both Putin and Medvedev come from. The delegation included Governor Matvienko, heads of local legislative council, local Orthodox Church leader, Putin's school teacher Vera Gurevich and his Judo coach. Professors from Saint Petersburg State University, where the two Presidents used to study, where also present.
Putin's cortege arrived first. The outgoing leader went down the halls of the Kremlin Palace all alone, with all the guests standing in silence. Dmitry Medvedev came to the Kremlin from Moscow's White House - the official residence of the Cabinet (Medvedev used to hold the position of First deputy PM in the previous government).
Before Medvedev entered the palace, ceremonial symbols of power where carried through its halls - the President's standard, a special copy of the constitution and the Presidential Order of Merit, with names of each past leader etched on the links of its chain
At noon sharp, President-elect entered the Andreevsky hall, where he was awaited by Putin, speakers of the two chambers of the parliament and Valery Zorkin, head of the Constitutional Court, whose responsibility is to receive the new President's oath.
But Putin was the first to take stage for a farewell speech. Eight years ago, Putin said, "when I was taking the oath of Russia's President, I took the obligation to work openly and honestly, to serve the nation and the state, and I have kept my word", he said. Putin also thanked Russians for their "trust, understanding and support".
Then Medvedev read the President's oath, with his hand on the constitution. His speech followed. The new leader pledged to "respect civil and economic liberties" and human rights, called for "innovations in all spheres of life", modernization of industry and stimulation of "private investment". He also stressed the "fundamental role of the law" and promised to combat the "legal nihilism" of the nation.
After the ceremony Medvedev and Putin went out of the palace to Cathedral Square to see the parade of the Presidential regiment. The parade was followed by a prayer ceremony in the Kremlin's Annunciation cathedral, presided by the Patriarch Alexi II, and a celebration dinner.
Vera Kholmogorova
Photo: ITAR-TASS
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