Putin's quest for a Russian Empire: Inauguration marks new term

The next six years of the Russian leader's tenure at the Kremlin, elected for another term, starts on Tuesday with a ceremonial "inauguration". "He believes that his historical calling is to rebuild the empire. He will cling to power tenaciously," says Russian oppositionist Igor Eidman.

"Tuesday's ceremony at the Kremlin is as much a sham as the elections," states Igor Eidman, a Russian oppositionist, sociologist, historian, journalist, and former adviser to liberal politicians in Russia. On 8 May, the composition of the new Russian government will be announced at a meeting of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

Putin now has two weeks to appoint a new prime minister. According to Eidman, Michail Mishustin is expected to remain in the position of the head of the government. It's likely there will be no changes in the presidential administration either, and Sergei Shoigu will continue to lead the armed forces.

Eidman observes that Putin surrounds himself with proven "comrades in arms", is wary of new faces, and prefers those he has known for many years. "He fears getting stabbed in the back," the expert assesses.

Over the next six years, Putin aims to fulfil his plan. "One of his paranoid ideas is the reconstruction of the Russian Empire, the Third Empire of Putin, after the empires of the Romanovs and the Soviets. His strategy involves annexing Ukraine and Belarus to Russia. The armed forces are trying to take over Ukraine, and Belarus is being assimilated by Russia as a boa constrictor swallows a rabbit. This process will continue as long as Putin is in power," says Eidman.

"If he dies, someone from the second tier of Putin's circle will take his place," the oppositionist speculates. He thinks the successor could be Dmitry Patrushev or Boris Kovalchuk. Both politicians are backed by "clans," which are very powerful.

Nevertheless, no threats seem to loom over the dictator as he begins a new term. Putin is taking office for the fifth time. After manipulated elections, he could stay in power until 2030.

As the portal reports, the last inauguration was attended by about 5,000 people. Russian media highlights that special halls with large screens will be set aside for guests. Additionally, special entrances for the audience through two of the Kremlin's towers have been arranged.