The 2011 TIME 100 Poll

Cast your votes for the leaders, artists, innovators, icons and heroes that you think are the most influential people in the world. Though official voting for inclusion on the TIME 100 list has now closed (with Rain as the 2011 readers' choice), users can continue to vote for their favorites until the final list, selected by our editors, is revealed on Thursday, April 21st

TIME 100 Candidates

Dmitri Medvedev

By TIME StaffMonday, Apr. 04, 2011
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Misha Japaridze / AFP / Getty Images

Age: 45
Occupation: President of Russia
Previous TIME 100 appearances: 0

Dmitri Medvedev became President of Russia in 2008 primarily because he was tapped by his friend and mentor Vladimir Putin to keep the seat warm until the constitution allowed Putin to run again. But Medvedev has surprised many, and pleased U.S. officials, by sometimes taking positions at odds with Prime Minister Putin — including when he publicly slapped down Putin's denunciation of foreign military intervention in Libya. Domestically, Medvedev favors greater political openness and strengthening the rule of law. And right now, indications are that he might not be so ready to hand over the presidency, despite Putin's new eligibility. Stay tuned.

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