Posted on Thu, May. 08, 2008

Putin's replacement is inaugurated

MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

MOSCOW --

Dmitry Medvedev was inaugurated as Russia's third president Wednesday in a glittering and solemn ceremony in front of some 2,500 guests at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow as Vladimir Putin stepped down after eight years as head of state.

The inauguration ceremony began at 11:45 a.m. Moscow time. Medvedev swore an oath on a copy of the Russian Constitution. He then addressed the assembled dignitaries as Russia's new president. The entire ceremony was shown live on national television and the Internet.

The current Russian government has formally resigned, and Putin is to become the country's new prime minister on Thursday.

Putin has also become the head of the ruling United Russia party.