When Russian newspaper Express Gazeta announced a competition of children’s art entitled: ”How do you see the future president”, the entrants proved astute judges of Russian politics: they all submitted drawings of Dmitry Medvedev, the Kremlin-backed favourite.

Reuters Moscow correspondent James Kilner went along to an exhibition of the artwork to see how children saw life after the March 2 presidential election for Medvedev and outgoing President Vladimir Putin. 

The exhibition — tucked away in a scruffy hall in central Moscow — stars Medvedev as Russian president solving the world’s problems and Putin as a retired man-of-leisure relaxing on a river bank or walking his dog. ”All the entrants in the contest are confident of Dmitry Medvedev’s victory in the election,” the organisers said in a press release.

“Strong President — Strong Russia,” 16-year-old Yelena from Russia’s Far East wrote underneath her drawing of a topless Medvedev holding a kingly golden orb in his right hand and a heavy weight in his left hand.  Any dedicated fitness enthusiast would have been jealous of the body Yelena had drawn on Medvedev. His stomach muscles bulge around a thin waist and his biceps protrude from strong arms. 

There were no pictures of the other candidates in the election. Most of the dozens of Medvedev drawings showed him looking presidential wearing a dark suit, giving an order over the telephone and improving Russia — better housing, higher pensions, stronger soldiers.

Other pictures, though, had a different flavour. One shows Medvedev and his wife Svetlana celebrating new year. Only coffee cups clutter the table but Medvedev appears to be falling off his chair.

In another Medvedev lounges on a sofa with his arm draped around a blonde woman wearing an evening gown. His fingers brush the woman’s shoulder but he is exchanging glances with another woman sitting on his left. 

While the meaning of these two pictures is unclear, another black-and-white drawing by the exit is even more cryptic.  “Dmitry Medvedev in his free time sits at home and conducts scientific experiments,” the picture’s caption reads underneath a sketch of an expressionless Medvedev sitting in the dark and
mixing chemical test tubes. 

By contrast Putin strikes a far more relaxed tone in the drawings. Apparently with the pressures of work lifted from his shoulders Putin strolls through parks with his black Labrador Connie, practices judo or fishes.

In one picture a smiling Putin sits on a sun-drenched island. A Russian flag flutters in the background. On it is written: “Putin was here”.