Nothing a 'Done Deal' In Russian Politics

MOSCOW, Dec. 13, 2007— -- The man endorsed by Russian President Vladimir Putin as his successor is a bookish former law professor known more for his scholarly intellect than his political prowess.

Dmitry Medvedev currently serves as the first deputy prime minister and he is also chairman of Gazprom, the largest company in Russia. At the age of 42, he is poised to become the youngest leader of Russia since Tsar Nicholas II in 1894.

Medvedev's rise comes as no surprise to most Russians. Following Putin's landslide victory in this month's parliamentary elections, there have been two popular theories on how he would maintain his enormous power after his term expires early next year. The first entailed a change in the constitution to allow Putin to run for a third term. The second had Putin choosing a weak successor whom he could easily control.

Medvedev's endorsement seems to fit Plan B. He has never run for any office before and he owes his entire career to Putin.

Masha Lipman, a political analyst with the Carnegie Institute, tells ABC News that Medvedev's nomination has no real significance until it becomes clear what his role will be. "I would not overestimate the actual choice until we know what the balance of authority will be in the country."

On Tuesday Medvedev demonstrated his attachment to the president by asking Putin to be the prime minister of his future government. Putin has not yet commented on Medvedev's request, but if he does accept the position, it will fundamentally change the way Russia has operated for years.

The bulk of the power will shift from the Kremlin, where the presidential office has enjoyed enormous authority, to the Cabinet, which has played a peripheral role. Lipman argues that this power balance is not decided by constitutions or elections, but by forces that are not transparent: "The real politics is hidden from the public eye, the real politics is going on where we can not see it," he said.