Approximately 3,000 people have been invited to attend the ceremony, including members of the Russian Federation Government, State Duma deputies and members of the Federation Council, Constitutional Court judges, and representatives of other federal bodies of state power.
Members of Vladimir Putin’s presidential election campaign team and campaign headquarters, other candidates in the 2012 presidential election, heads of diplomatic missions, members of the clergy, academic and cultural figures, art workers and public figures will also attend the event.
Dmitry Medvedev will greet the Presidential Regiment, formed up at his order on Cathedral Square, and thank it and the entire Russian Armed Forces for their service.
The ceremony of taking the presidential oath will take place in the Grand Kremlin Palace’s St Andrew Hall, where Mr Medvedev will hand the symbols of presidential power to President-elect Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin will swear the presidential oath and President of the Constitutional Court Valery Zorkin will then announce Mr Putin’s inauguration as President of the Russian Federation.
As Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr Putin will then receive control of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces.
The ceremony will be followed by a parade on Cathedral Square by the Presidential Regiment, marking Mr Putin’s inauguration as President of Russia, and celebrating the 76th anniversary of the regiment’s founding.