By Yu Sui

It has been two months since president-turned Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is also chairman of the party in power United Russian, and President Dmitry Medvedev formed a "dual-core team" of Russian leadership. Observers worldwide have been watching closely the efficiency and prospects of this team. As the product of an extraordinary time the Medvedev-Putin pairing represents a number of philosophical qualities.

The first is unity of oppositeness. With eight years of experience as the Russian head of state and still at his prime, Putin could have won another term had it not been ruled out by the Constitution and he was left with the second best way to ensure he continues to play a special role in state politics.

The Medvedev-Putin pairing is the brainchild of Putin's team and Medvedev is in his present position as Putin's double. Their current relationship resembles that between the commander and political commissar in the Soviet military of yesteryear.

Medvedev is the bona fide head of state while Putin the "spiritual leader" of the nation. The "dual-core" power structure somehow reminds people of the two-headed eagle featured in the national emblem and the theory of unity of oppositeness.

The actual practice today shows that the government is somewhat more powerful than before, including managing some powerful offices and local government officials.

This will replace the past particularity of a weak government headed by a super-powerful president with a situation characterized by the "strong combination" of a powerful president and powerful government. It means United Russia is turning from a party of power to a ruling party while the presidency is in a way evolving into a half-president, half-parliament and cabinet system.

The second is duality of things. The Medvedev-Putin pairing first accomplished the smooth arrangement of top national leaders according to Putin's design.