Europe is sceptical facing the Russian presidentials

Markus Ackeret finds it downright grotesque the way presidential hopeful Dmitry Medvedev tries to emphasize both his independence and his closeness to Vladimir Putin. "After two months of a dull election campaign, it looks like Medvedev can't separate himself from his father figure. He makes hardly any public appearances, and does not participate in discussions on television. ... The degree of influence to be granted this ill-defined, disappointingly boring Medvedev will be revealed only through his power-sharing with Putin as Prime Minister. He has repeatedly championed a strong presidential system as the only possible governmental form for Russia. Asked about his favourite location in Moscow, he recently told his interviewers at 'Itogi' - 'I am not original: it's the Kremlin. The heart of Russia.'"

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