Putin, officially inaugurated today

The investiture of the head of state will take place today in Moscow. This is already the fifth such ceremony for Vladimir Putin, who was elected in March.

According to the Constitution, the investiture takes place six years after taking over the mandate of the previous president or on the 30th day after the Central Electoral Commission announced the election results. All of Putin’s ceremonies since 2000 have been held on May 7.

The scene of the event will be the Grand Kremlin Palace (BKD), already a regular place for Putin. His predecessor Boris Yeltsin took office at the Palace of Congresses of the Kremlin (since 1992 – the State Palace of the Kremlin). But on May 6, 2000, the eve of Putin’s first inauguration, these ceremonies were officially moved to BKD. There were proposals for an outdoor event, but this was scrapped.
Usually everything starts at noon, and the duration is not strictly specified. In 2000 it took half an hour, and in 2004 they did it in 20 minutes – that’s another record. Currently, state television sets aside an hour for the event.

Despite the freedoms in time, the procedure is strictly regulated.

The soldiers of the Presidential Regiment bring the state flag, the President’s flag and insignia, as well as a special copy of the Constitution, to the St. Andrew’s Hall of the BKD. By the way, May 7 is the Day of the Presidential Regiment (therefore, after the inauguration, the head of state hosts the parade).

A copy of the basic law of the country and the presidential sign are placed on the podium – on the right hand and on the left hand, respectively.

The president of the Constitutional Court (CC), the presidents of the State Duma and the Federation Council come out. The elected head of state takes the oath: “In exercising the duties of the president of the Russian Federation, I swear to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of man and citizen, to respect and defend the Constitution of the Russian Federation, to protect the sovereignty and independence, security and integrity of the state, in order to faithfully serve the people.”

After this, the president is considered to have taken office. The judge announces this and plays the national anthem.
Then the president makes an address to the citizens of the country.
Next, 30 ceremonial volleys are fired from artillery pieces. And the head of state leaves St. Andrew’s Hall to participate in the parade of the Kremlin regiment on Cathedral Square.

The US and almost all EU states will boycott the Kremlin ceremony. However, France and several other EU states were expected to send an emissary, despite a call from Kiev, informs Rador Radio Romania.