Vladimir Putin: Russia's new president and former prime minister. Dmitry Medvedev: Russia's new prime minister and former president. Between them, the two most powerful politicians in the country have perfected a power game which culminated in the swearing-in of Putin as president three days ago, a game which has infuriated Russians who found their freedom taken away, the freedom to decide who should govern them, and invited the scorn of the international community which witnessed the weakening of Russian democracy at the hands of Putin.

Putin was sworn in for his third term as president on Monday, taking the oath of office in the Kremlin’s gilded throne room of the czars. He is poised to become the longest serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin, but it’s an achievement which many of his people are not happy about. Hundreds of thousands had taken to the streets a few months ago to protest against Putin and demand reforms and the continuing deep resentment will shape Russia’s future. For the past five months, elements of the assertive new middle class have demanded the re-running of tainted presidential and parliamentary elections. Their protests have polarised the country and though they haven’t really threatened Putin’s hold on power, they will make him weak, and may force him either to reassert himself politically by adopting tough measures or launch extensive reforms to pacify the protesters. But the protesters are unlikely to be pacified because their primary demand is the abdication of power by Putin, and the president is unlikely to listen.

The public anger was evident in the lack of applause for the president. There were no cheering crowds or flag-waving supporters as Putin’s security escort carried him through a nearly deserted downtown Moscow to attend his inauguration in front of 2,000 selected guests. Also, the swearing-in was overshadowed on Sunday by violent clashes between the police and the protesters who shouted “No to Putin.”

Putin’s supporters are now mainly pensioners, workers and farmhands, while his opposition comes from a strong base -- the urban middle class. His policies in the coming months will decide the length of his tenure. On the domestic front, he will have to tread cautiously not alienate his people, and at the international level, he has the onerous task of consolidating his position among Western leaders who are expected to use his domestic weakness not to let him get away with his plans. One way Putin can connect with his people is by launching serious reforms and engaging in dialogue with his opponents. A president who is ready to compromise and talk will be better than one who rules with an iron hand.