"Tsar" Putin uses Kremlin's power to define future

By Michael Stott

MOSCOW (Reuters) - He is often likened to a Tsar so perhaps it wasn't surprising that Vladimir Putin deployed the full imperial power of the Kremlin to present his political testament on Friday.

The top echelon of Russian society were summoned to the Kremlin's vast and magnificent St. George Hall -- originally part of the Tsars' Moscow residence -- to hear the presidential vision of how Russia should look in 12 years' time.

The occasion aroused special interest because Putin, after eight years concentrating power in his hands, is about to move aside and install a chosen successor after an election next month.

Generals rubbed shoulders with oligarchs, muftis mingled with cabinet ministers, regional governors greeted editors and spy chiefs arrived alone to take their seats beneath six vast chandeliers.

Roman Abramovich, Russia's wealthiest billionaire, was just one of the crowd, lost in a sea of faces near the back. Even opposition candidates in the presidential election showed up.

In a chessboard of black suits and white shirts, broken by a general's cap or a mufti's turban, a mid-grey jacket and trousers was the height of informality.

Although the Kremlin sent out invitations by telegram to "take part in the expanded session of the State Council of the Russian Federation", participants were left in no doubt that their opinions were not required.

A small lectern stood on a red-carpeted dais in front of a giant white marble slab in the centre of the hall, which bears the names of more than 10,000 Russian members of the military awarded the Order of St. George for their heroism.