Medvedev walks policy tightrope in address

PRESIDENT Dmitry Medvedev has called for Russia’s transformation into a democratic, high-tech society but warned that efforts to “destabilise” the country would not be tolerated.

In his annual address to the nation, Medvedev walked a tightrope between liberal political and economic reforms and the strongman legacy of his predecessor, Vladimir Putin.

Medvedev, who became president last year, is widely seen as being weaker than Putin, now prime minister, and the speech was closely watched for any signs of Medvedev’s independence from his powerful mentor.