In Moscow the Beat Goes On

Second verse same as the first: Putin and protege celebrate win at concert
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 3, 2008 4:20 AM CST
In Moscow the Beat Goes On
Vladimir Putin, left, and his hand-picked successor Dmitry Medvedev wave to their supporters standing side-by-side at the stage during a concert to mark presidential election at the Moscow Red Square late Sunday, March 2, 2008. Medvedev was headed for an easy victory in Sunday's presidential election,...   (Associated Press)

To no one's surprise, Russia's new president Dmitry Medvedev has promised to uphold the policies of his predecessor after yesterday's stage-managed transfer of power widely regarded as an election farce, reports Reuters. Medvedev has already chosen outgoing president Vladimir Putin, ineligible for another term, as prime minister. To underline their close ties the two celebrated together at a victory concert in Red Square.

"This is a secret service KGB operation to transfer power," complained a former prime minister who was disqualified from running. Hillary Clinton agrees. The election "marks a milestone in that country's retreat from democracy," she said. "The Russian people have been denied the opportunity to choose their leaders." (More Russia stories.)

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