Profile of Russian´s new President -- Dmitry Medvedev

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-08-2008 13:15

The former first deputy prime minister won Russia's presidential election on March 2nd by a landslide victory and has become the third, and youngest, president of the country since the end of the Soviet Union in 1991. Let's take a look at the career of Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's new President.

Dmitry Medvedev is sworn in as a new Russian President in Moscow's Kremlin throne room, to replace his long-time mentor, the powerful Vladimir Putin, May 7, 2008. Medvedev was sworn in as president in a solemn ceremony in the Kremlin's throne room on Wednesday, ushering in an  unprecedented period of dual rule with his predecessor Vladimir Putin, who becomes prime minister.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

A long time friend and a close ally of Vladimir Putin, the soft-spoken lawyer was favored by him.

Medvedev was one of several St. Petersburg colleagues Putin summoned to Moscow when he ascended to power in the Kremlin in 1999.

Almost upon his arrival at the Kremlin, Medvedev took an active role at Gazprom, the natural gas giant.

As its chairman, he helped Putin restore the Kremlin's control over the company.

Before 2005, he had largely acted behind-the-scenes but his role changed when Putin appointed him as first deputy prime minister to oversee five national projects.

The appointment made Medvedev the favorite to succeed Putin and the national projects worth billions of dollars, which cover health care, education, housing and agriculture, launched him into the media spotlight.

Medvedev's colleagues in government describe him as loyal, competent and pragmatic.

And on December 10th 2007, Putin publicly voiced his support for Medvedev to compete in the presidential race, saying he would be a good president.

Editor:Xiong Qu