| Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev (born on September 14, 1965, Leningrad, RSFSR) is a Russian statesman and politician, the first deputy prime minister of the Russian Federation. Along with Andrey Bogdanov, Vladimir Zhirinovsky and Genady Zyuganov, Dmitry Medvedev was a candidate during the presidential elections in Russia in 2008.
From the 14th of November, 2005, Medvedev was first deputy prime minister of the Russian Government and advisor of national projects. Medvedev is also the Chairman of the board of directors of JSC "Gazprom" (since June, 2000).
On December 10, 2007, it was announced that the candidature of Dmitry Medvedev for the presidential elections in 2008 was supported by the parties “United Russia”, “Fair Russia”, “Civilian Power” and the “Agrarian Party of Russia” and is also nominated as a successor by the President of Russia Mr. Vladimir Putin.
From 1990 till 1999, Dmitry Medvedev worked as a docent (associate professor) in Saint Peterburg's State University. Simultaneously, in 1990 - 1995s as an adviser to the Chairman of the Leningrad Municipal council of Anatoly Sobchak and also worked as a legal expert for the Committee for External Relations of the Saint Peterburg Mayor's Office, i.e. the immediate subordinate of Vladimir Putin. In Smoln, Medvedev was engaged in the developing and official registration of business deals, contracts and various investment projects. At that time, according to some witnesses, many accepted him as secretary of Putin and did not receive him seriously. The president of the Institute of National Strategy Stanislav Belkovsky describes Medvedev in the following manner:
According to political scientist Alexey Mukhin, Medvedev contributed hugely in bringing down the corruption business raised against Putin, according to the investigation reports of the committee Petrosovet in 1992 and threatening Putin with a loss of place. In 1993, Medvedev spoke as one of the founders of the company “Fintsell”, which itself founded JSC “Ilim Pulp Enterprise”, one of the giants of the Russian timber business. In the new company, Medvedev became the legal affairs director. Thus, Medvedev has a 50% stake in JSC “Fintsell” and a 20% stake in “Ilim Pulp Enterprise”.
In 1998, Medvedev was made a member of the board of directors of one of the largest enterprises Bratskiy LPK, which was owned by the company.
Career in Moscow:
In 1999, he was appointed as deputy chief of staff to Dmitry Kozak in the Russian Government.
During 1999 - 2000 he was the deputy head of the presidential staff of the Russian Federation; Medvedev was head of the presidential campaign headquarters during the 2000 elections for V.V Putin. Earlier, the headquarters belonged to A. Smolensk “Alexander House”, where the center for strategic studies was located under German Greff.
During 2000-2003, Medvedev was made first deputy chief of the presidential staff of the Russian Federation.
During 2000-2001 he was chair of the board of directors of JSC "Gazprom", in 2001, Deputy Chair of the board of directors of JSC "Gazprom" and since June 2002, chairman of the board of directors of JSC "Gazprom".
From October 2003 till November 2005, he served as the Chief of presidential staff of Russia.
On the 14th of November, 2005, Dmitry Medvedev was appointed as deputy prime minister of the Russian Federation.
On March 5, 2007, he took part in an internet conference on the portal Yandex.
On December 10, 2007, Medvedev was proposed as a candidate in the presidential elections from the “Uniter Russia” party. On the same day, “Fair Russia”, “Agrarian Party of Russian Federation” and “Civilian Power” parties also supported his candidature.
V.V. Putin also endorsed the candidature of Dmitry Medvedev and he was officially endorsed on December 17, 2007.
On December 20, 2007, while submitting his nominations in the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev announced that he would quit the post of chairman of the board of directors of JSC “GazProm” if he was elected as President of the Russian Federation in accordance with the legislation.
In November 1999, Medvedev received the post of deputy head of the governmental body. After the retirement of Yeltsin, Medvedev was made deputy head of the presidential staff. According to statements of political expert Stanislav Belkovsky, during that time, Alexander Voloshin and Roman Abramovich proposed the candidature of Medvedev. After the exit of Voloshin, Medvedev occupied his place. The candidature of Medvedev was upheld as the former Yeltsin's order and also the order of Putin. In November, 2005, Medvedev was appointed as the first deputy prime minister of the Russian Federation. |
Russia voted for its next president. Exit polls showed the Putin's successor, Dmitry Medvedev, as an absolute leader and undisputed next Russian president, who will win with up to 70% of the votes. By Russian constitution Putin could not serve more than two consecutive terms, so on December 10, 2007, Putin announced Medvedev as his successor. The plan is that Putin will serve as a Russian prime minister this term, and will come back to presidency next (year 2012) elections, when Medvedev will not run in order to clear way for Putin again. Translated from Russian, "Medvedev" means "son of a bear".
