Power shift brings uncertainty to Russia

Critics say Russia is returning to an authoritarian system. Kremlin officials have said they are building a "managed" or "sovereign" democracy, tailored to Russia's tradition of strong central authority.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in January 2007, Medvedev suggested he disagreed with the prevailing Kremlin line when he said Russia was building a democracy that "requires no additional definition."

But in a recent speech, Medvedev hinted that he thinks Russia may need a form of democracy unrecognizable in the West after all. One of the big issues facing Russia, he said, "is how to combine, how to ensure that our national tradition reconciles with a fundamental set of democratic values."

The candidate has also recently contrasted Russian human rights groups that are "fighting against the state," with those that "work with people to protect their rights and to defend their civil liberties." While gently stated, the message seemed to be that groups that criticize the government are illegitimate.

While Medvedev hasn't criticized any of Putin's policies so far, there are marked differences of style between mentor and protege.

The man blushes
Where Putin sometimes uses gangster slang to make a point, Medvedev's remarks sound like academic lectures. Putin makes a point of dressing down Russian officials on television, and is famous for being unapologetically late for appointments. In a recent speech Medvedev asked forgiveness in advance for planning to take up so much of his audience's time.

Medvedev also sometimes blushes in public — something unthinkable for the world's most famous former KGB spy.

In preparation for his new role, Medvedev is struggling to squeeze himself into Putin's mold. Putin is an avid swimmer, so Medvedev has started swimming. Putin loves to ski, so Medvedev tackled the slopes in a resort near the Black Sea city of Sochi one recent weekend.

A bartender at a resort near Sochi once refused to let Putin pay for a cup of tea, and the Russian president famously gave the man his ski goggles. In an awkward bit of political theater, Medvedev handed his goggles to a waiter at a ski resort early this month.

"He's working on himself," Trenin said of Medvedev. "He's trying to crack jokes. He's trying to be relaxed... He is very much walking in the footsteps of Putin, even in a very comical way."

Trenin of the Moscow Center predicted that the world probably won't know who Russia's new president really is, or where he plans to take the country, until several months into his term.

"We'll probably see it when he becomes president in his own right, after a mentoring period or regency period. Then we may see Medvedev's true colors," he said.

More from msnbc.com ‘Three Cups of Tea’ advice for Obama Will nuclear fusion fade ... or finally flare? World Cup or world stage? N. Korea on display Afghanistan's dogs of war sniff out mines Pontiac hits the end of the road  Counterfeiters pose holiday safety hazard On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM EUROPE

Europe Section Front

Italy jury begins deliberations in Knox trial University in climate flap details inquiry Nuns offer $193 million for child abuse cases German official: Afghan raid ‘inappropriate’ Moscow sees its warmest December day Homeless brothers in line to inherit billions Strike closes Louvre, other Paris museums Pakistan: We need more clarity on U.S. plan Rome unveils ancient luxury complex Putin says he may run for president in 2012 Europe Section Front   Add Europe headlines to your news reader: