The enthronement of Dmitry Medvedev

The inauguration procedure was worked out in the USA in 1933. Nowadays the solemn ceremony takes place in Washington, always on January 20. This tradition dates back to Franklin Roosevelt’s oath for his second term in 1937. The re-elected vice president put his hand on the Bible and pledged allegiance in the presence of his ministers. The oath ran as follows: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." After that at noon the chairman of the Chief Justice pledged him. A parade, a ball and concerts followed.

	The enthronement of Dmitry Medvedev
	BREAKING NEWS Israel launches massive military operation against Gaza Strip America chooses its future Russia to retrieve its status of world's strongest superpower
	Astounding photos of planes overcoming sound barrier More...

Other countries borrowed the tradition. But in most countries the inauguration day is not fixed, apart from those states where the early termination of office in case of president’s demise or retirement does not involve early elections. Thus, in Mexico the vice-president is inaugurated on December 1, in Brazil – on March 15, in Columbia – on August 7 and in Germany – on July 1.

France: no oath of office

The distinctive feature of the French inauguration is that the French President does not pronounce an oath. The elected head of state obtains presidential symbols as the Grand Master of the Order of the Legion of Honour. At the end of the ceremony there are 21 artillery shots are made, and the new president delivers a short speech.

Russia

In Russia the end of inauguration is marked by 30 artillery shots.

The ceremony of inauguration usually starts at noon. Accompanied by the Kremlin chimes and the applause of guests (about 1,500 as a rule) President Elect Dmitry Medvedev will go through three Kremlin halls – Georgievsky, Alexandrovsky and Andreevsky.

In the Andreevsky hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace there is a podium on which the new president will take to pledge allegiance to the Russian nation. Behind Dmitry Medvedev there will be Vladimir Putin, the head of the Constitutional Court and heads of the two Houses of Parliament.

Before the oath of office the President Elect will put his right hand on the Constitution of Russia. It has the red cover made of monitor lizard skin. This copy was made especially for the ceremony and is the official symbol of presidential power. On the eve of the ceremony the book is taken from the depository (the Kremlin library). Russia’s first President Boris Yeltsin (in 1996) and second President Vladimir Putin (in 2000 and 2004) pledged on this Constitution.

Speak your mind on Pravda.ru forum