Vladimir Putin’s swearing-in ceremony will begin at around 2:30 pm Indian time at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow. He will take the oath as the president of Russia for the 5th consecutive time. This ceremony lasts for about 1 hour. Putin got 88% of the votes in the elections held in Russia on March 15-17. His opponent Nikolay Kharitonov got only 4% of the votes.
The Grand Kremlin Palace is the same place where three kings of the Tsarist family of Russia (Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II) were crowned. Putin took oath as President for the first time in the year 2000. Since then, he has become the President in 2004, 2012 and 2018 also.
Who will participate in the swearing-in ceremony?
Members of the Federal Council of Russia (MPs of the Senate), members of the State Duma (MPs of the Lower House), High Court judges, ambassadors of different countries and diplomatic corps participate in the swearing-in ceremony. In 2018, about 6 thousand people, including former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, were present at Putin’s fourth swearing-in ceremony. Its live telecast was also done.
Following the ceremony, the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church joins the President in prayer in the cathedral church. They tell the President that the people of the country have trusted him. Also wish for his long life. This practice dates back to 1498, when Prince Dmitri Ivanovich of Moscow was married. At the beginning of the ceremony, the Presidential Band of Russia plays the same tune that was played at the coronation of Alexander III in 1883.
At the beginning of the presidential swearing-in
ceremony in Russia, the former President of Russia (who is leaving office) reviews the Kremlin Regiment. This regiment is a special unit of the Russian Army, which is responsible for the security of the Kremlin. After this the old President goes to the Grand Kremlin Palace.
The flag of Russia and the ‘Russian Standard of the President’ are brought to the Alexander Hall of the Kremlin Palace. The emblem of Russia is made on this flag. The Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Russia places a copy of the Constitution on the podium. Apart from this, the President’s chain of office is also kept here.
The copy of the Constitution used in taking oath is very special. Its cover is red in colour. ‘Constitution of Russia’ is written on it in golden colour. Apart from this, the picture of the Russian ‘Court of Arms’ is made in silver colour. This copy of the Constitution is kept in the President’s library.
The Chain of Office is a symbol of the presidency. In the middle, there is a red cross of ‘Order for Merit to the Fatherland’. ‘Benefit, Honor and Glory’ is written in a circle behind the cross.
The President takes the oath by placing his hand on a copy of the Constitution
The new President of Russia takes the oath of office by placing his right hand on a copy of the Constitution. After this, the President of the Constitutional Court gives him the chain of office and declares the oath of the President complete. The national anthem is played in the Kremlin Palace. During this time, the flag of ‘Russian Standard of the President’ is hoisted on the dome of the Presidential Palace.
-Rahul Dubey