He entered office with pledges of cautious reforms, but now critics are suggesting that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's true intention may be to act as a temporary seat-warmer for Vladimir Putin's return. Despite nearly two years in office, there is little proof that Medvedev is following through on promises to liberalize Russia's political system, modernize its oil-based economy, combat corruption, and establish a fair legal system. Recent local elections were labeled the most corrupt in Russia's history by opposition leaders, while NGOs and business leaders claim that corruption remains rampant. Regional leaders with ties to the Kremlin who have been accused of unethical practices have been reappointed. Every day, there are reports of police and court power being abused. According to Vladimir Ryzhkov, who was the last independent deputy in the Russian parliament until he was unable to run again in 2007 due to changes in election law, Medvedev has not shown a willingness to reform. Ryzhkov believes that Medvedev only makes small changes to give the appearance of reform without actually implementing any real changes. When asked about Medvedev's achievements since his election in March 2008, the Kremlin stated that they were preparing detailed information for the press to mark his two years in office in May, but did not have that information available at the moment. Medvedev's spokeswoman, Natalya Timakova, mentioned that the president's focus this year will be on reforming the political system, improving the investment climate, calming the situation in the North Caucasus, and reaching a nuclear arms agreement with Washington. An analysis by the Interfax news agency revealed that state-run media has attempted to enhance the president's image, with more references to Medvedev than Putin in Russian media last year. However, pollsters indicate that Putin's popularity among the general population is higher due to the economic growth and stability experienced during his presidency from 2000-2008. This popularity has continued during Putin's current role as prime minister and is also evident among Russia's elite. For example, Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov praised Putin as a strong global leader in a recent Reuters interview. He did not mention Medvedev. The hopes of Western powers that Medvedev would be more cooperative than Putin quickly disappeared when Medvedev led Russia into a conflict with Georgia in 2008. Moscow had raised hopes for entering the World Trade Organisation, signing a nuclear arms reduction agreement with the US, and agreeing to sanctions against Iran, but ultimately disappointed on all three. Officials privately acknowledge that Putin, not his superior Medvedev, had the final say in each case, revealing where power truly lies in Russia's ruling "tandem". Officials at the Kremlin and the White House emphasize that the "tandem" between Putin and Medvedev is a strong and effective working relationship where both leaders respect each other's roles. For example, Medvedev recently held a meeting to discuss political reforms in Russia, which is currently dominated by the United Russia bloc. However, Putin had the final say, cautioning that while improvements to the political system are necessary, they must be approached carefully to avoid instability. According to a senior diplomat, Putin's communication was unambiguous: political reform in Russia is unlikely. Investors recognize where the real power lies as well. A chief strategist at a Moscow bank stated that a Medvedev departure would not impact Russian markets significantly, but if Putin were to leave, there would be chaos. However, the frequent differences in public demeanor between Putin and Medvedev have caused some observers of Russia to speculate about potential disagreements or power struggles within the elite. Supporters of Medvedev are particularly interested in spreading this narrative to enhance his image as a reformer, according to diplomats. According to this perspective, Medvedev's apparent lack of progress in implementing reforms is attributed to his cautious approach in order to avoid antagonizing Putin. On the other hand, advocates for the president argue that Medvedev will eventually take more decisive action, although many within the inner circle of power reject this idea. Opposition journalist Yulia Latynina believes that there cannot be a real power struggle between Putin, who holds all the power, and Medvedev, who has none. Critics also argue that Medvedev, who has worked closely with Putin for 19 years, is unlikely to have a secret reform agenda that he has not shared with his well-informed boss, a former KGB spy. Many experts predict that Putin will likely return to the presidency in 2012, taking advantage of a constitutional reform that extends the term of the Kremlin chief to six years, which is the most significant political reform enacted by Medvedev. If re-elected, Putin could remain in office until 2024 before being required to step down by the constitution. Olga Kryshtanovskaya, an expert on the Russian elite and member of United Russia, stated that Putin is more popular and trusted than Medvedev. "I have recently returned from a trip to the provinces where the prevailing belief is that Putin will return in 2012. This is a widely held view, and I personally agree with it, as Putin has a greater amount of resources and support."