Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Putin sworn in as Russian president for fourth term

7 May 2018 03:18 pm - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Vladimir Putin has been sworn in for a fourth term as president of Russia, after winning the election in March.

He has been in power for 18 years, whether as president or prime minister, and opponents have likened his tenure to the reign of a tsar, or emperor.

Russian TV showed Mr Putin, 65, leaving his Kremlin office and walking to the ceremony, down long corridors.

Riot police confronted protesters against his rule in Moscow and other Russian cities on Saturday.

More than 1,000 arrests are said to have been made in 19 cities.

The biggest complaint among Russians surveyed by the Levada Centre, a major sociological research body, was that Mr Putin had failed to reduce the wealth gap (the top complaint for 45% of respondents).

Another big complaint (for 39%) was the failure to refund Russians who lost savings during market reforms.

Mr Putin's most praiseworthy achievement was restoring Russia's world status as a great power (47%), according to the poll. It was conducted last month among 1,600 Russians in 136 towns and cities.

Compared with a similar poll in 2015, there was a doubling of complaints that Mr Putin had failed to raise wages, pensions and benefits.

Nearly half of the reported 1,000 arrests on Saturday were in Moscow.

Mr Putin was re-elected president with more than 76% of the vote, his best ever election performance, but widespread irregularities were reported by some international observers. Allegations of ballot-rigging had dogged previous elections too.

The country's best-known opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, was barred from standing against Mr Putin, on grounds of a conviction for embezzlement which he denies and alleges was politically motivated.

Mr Navalny was arrested briefly as he tried to join Saturday's unauthorised protest rally in Moscow under the slogan "He's not our tsar".

Domestic opponents accuse Mr Putin of undermining democracy in Russia - a policy dubbed "managed democracy" - to keep genuine opposition parties out of parliament and ensure that he and his allies retain power indefinitely.(BBC)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 10

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Empulz Monday, 07 May 2018 03:46 PM

    Someones jealous

    shan Monday, 07 May 2018 03:52 PM

    He deserve to be there till he die only then ,there will be a balance in the world and war mongers like US, west and israhel will be under control

    Cristo Wednesday, 09 May 2018 11:07 AM

    Russia opposes democracy everywhere ...so it's not surprising that he is admired by fools like you

    Ceylon Monday, 07 May 2018 04:27 PM

    Ordinery man who was living on month salary for decades apointed by yeltsin to presidency became worlds richest man during his power in politics.200 billion doller man has thurst for more bilions.

    Unchikun Monday, 07 May 2018 04:37 PM

    Our darling Mahinda may be very happy and sad to hear this news.

    mike Monday, 07 May 2018 04:41 PM

    congrats from Srilanka! we will never forget your support during war with LTTE! in life never forget the friends who stood by you in bad times

    Nilame Monday, 07 May 2018 06:03 PM

    The leader of the era! you deserve for it and wishing another successful term!

    Jaliya Tuesday, 08 May 2018 10:20 AM

    Putin was selected not elected ... thanks to many individuals like Namal Rajapakse who was an election observer ... now do you have any trust in a fair election ?

    Banda Tuesday, 08 May 2018 01:10 PM

    You are pathetic as you are not accepted by your own people and the West will never accept you as a darky,so you are totally confused,always all over place like a mad dog.

    Dr Tuesday, 08 May 2018 01:33 PM

    The shameless slave Jaliya will start to score himself,that is his trick. Unemployed,only educated at the church?


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H