The overwhelming victory of Mr. Dmitri Medvedev in Russia's presidential election shows that the Russian people want the continuation of the basic policy line of President Vladimir Putin, who brought Russia stability and economic growth. Mr. Medvedev, a first deputy prime minister, was handpicked by Mr. Putin as his successor. He will be inaugurated as president May 7, and he has confirmed that he will have Mr. Putin serve as prime minister.
The election was farcical. Any real competition was eliminated. TV news programs covered Mr. Medvedev extensively during the campaign to his advantage. He refused to take part in debates with other candidates. But for the first time in the history of the Soviet Union and the current Russia, a national leader has completed his term and his successor has been chosen through an election under a constitution.
Russia will be governed by the "tandem" regime of Mr. Putin and Mr. Medvedev. But the 42-year-old Mr. Medvedev, originally a law scholar, puts more emphasis than Mr. Putin on the importance of freedom of individuals and enterprises. How he translates his philosophy into policies remains to be seen.
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