The inauguration procedure, according to the law “On Presidential Elections in the Russian Federation”, is held on the 30th day after the announcement by the Central Electoral Commission of the official election results. The solemn ceremony itself is not stipulated by the law on election of the head of the Russian state.
The tradition of holding similar actions is as follows:
The ceremony should be attended by:
- Members of the Federation Council
- Deputies of the State Duma
- Judges of the Constitutional Court
- Heads of diplomatic missions
- Representatives of the Government of the Russian Federation and federal authorities
- The Diplomatic corps.
The ceremony begins with the presidential orchestra playing formal music in the Great Kremlin Palace.
The standard-bearers carrying the national flag of Russia, colours of the president, Constitution, and the Emblem on the President of Russia march through Georgievsky and Aleksandrovsky Halls into Andreyevsky Hall. The chairman of the Constitutional Court, and then the chairmen of both chambers of the parliament rise on the lectern. Chairman of the Constitutional Court (CC) puts the Constitution and the Presidential Emblem on the lectern, where the head of the state will take the oath.
Exactly at 11:55 the elected President of Russia accompanied by his retinue arrives at the Great Kremlin Palace through the Spassky Gate. As the Kremlin chimes begin to sound and to the sounds of trumpet fanfares he crosses the Georgievsky and Aleksandrovsky Halls and rises on the lectern. The CC Chairman asks the elected President of Russia to take the oath.
The President-elect puts his right hand on the Constitution of the Russian Federation and says the text of the presidential oath. After that the CC Chairman gives the President symbols of power of the head of the state and announces the entry into office of the new President. The national anthem starts playing in the hall, and the colours of the head of state are hoisted over the dome of the presidential residence in the Kremlin.
The Presidential oath:
“I swear in exercising the powers of the President of the Russian Federation to respect and safeguard the rights and freedoms of man and citizen, to observe and protect the Constitution of the Russian Federation, to protect the sovereignty and independence, security and integrity of the State, to faithfully serve the people”.
Vladimir Putin’s speech during the inauguration ceremony:
Citizens of Russia,
Friends,
As I take office as the President of the Russian Federation, I am aware of my great responsibility to our country. Russia’s interests and the security and prosperity of our people have always been and always will be my utmost priority. I will do everything to justify the trust that millions of our citizens have placed in me. I see the whole sense and purpose of my life as being to serve our country and serve our people, whose support gives me the inspiration and help I need to resolve the greatest and most complex tasks.
We have travelled a great and difficult road together, believing in ourselves and our strength and ability. We have strengthened our country and returned our dignity as a great nation. The world has seen a Russia risen anew, and this is the result of our people’s hard work and our common effort, to which everyone has made their personal contribution. We have everything we need today to continue our development and progress: an effective and developing state, a solid economic and social foundation, and an active and responsible civil society. I think that much credit here is due to Dmitry Medvedev. His presidency ensured that our country could keep developing with continuity and stability, and gave new impetus to modernisation in all spheres of life. He has big tasks and very responsible work ahead and I wish him success in this.
We are now entering a new stage in our national development that requires us to resolve tasks at a principally new level, tasks of a different quality and scale. These coming years will be crucial for shaping Russia’s future in the decades to come. We must all understand that the life of our future generations and our prospects as a country and nation depend on us today and on our real achievements in building a new economy and developing modern living standards, in our efforts to look after our people and support our families, on our determination in developing our vast expanses from the Baltic to the Pacific, and on our ability to become a leader and centre of gravity for the whole of Eurasia.
We will achieve our goals if we remain united and stand together, treasure our homeland, strengthen our country’s democracy, constitutional rights and freedoms, and expand our citizens’ participation in government and in setting our national agenda, so that everyone’s desires for a better life become part of the common effort for our country’s prosperity. We will achieve success for sure if we stand firmly upon the solid foundation of our multi-ethnic people’s cultural and spiritual traditions, our centuries of history, the values that have always been the moral backbone of our life, and if each of us lives according to their conscience, with love for and faith in their country, their families and loved ones, and care for their children’s happiness and their parents’ welfare.
We want to live and we will live in a democratic country in which everyone has the freedom and opportunity to apply their talents and labour, their energy. We want to live and we will live in a successful Russia that the world respects as a reliable, open, honest and predictable partner. I believe in the strength of our common goals and ideals, our determination to transform our country, our people’s united efforts, and our common desire for freedom, truth and justice. We are ready for the tests and accomplishments ahead. Russia has a great past and just as great a future. We will work with faith in our hearts and sincere and pure intention.
Thank you.
At the end of the ceremony, the President enters the Sobornaya Square through the doors of the Sacred Inner Porch, goes down the stairs of the Great Kremlin Palace and proceeds to an additional lectern, from where he reviews the troops of the presidential regiment.
Boris Yeltsin’s speech during the inauguration ceremony
Vladimir Putin’s speech during the inauguration ceremony
Dmitry Medvedev’s speech during the inauguration ceremony