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Dmitry Medvedev will be the next president of Russia. We can say that even though the election is held tomorrow, because there is no real opposition to Mr Putin’s preferred candidate. The interesting question, then, is what he will bring. Will Russia stay on the track of some economic progress, but a complete lack of liberties and democracy, that Mr Putin has put it on, or will Medvedev bring some liberalisation? The Economist provide some clues, but it is difficult to say what he actually wants and what is just rhetorics. Assuming that he does want change, it is also difficult to predict whether he will be strong enough to achieve it.

Mr Medvedev has promised Mr Putin the role of prime minister, which will give him considerable continued power, and Mr Putin has already declared that he will not be Mr Medvedev’s puppy. The bureaucracy has likely adapted to Mr Putin’s rule over the last eight years, and it will be difficult to realign them. Change, if it will come at all, will come slowly.

The Economist appears to be cautiously optimistic, though their expectations are not high. We will have to wait and see.

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