Leadership coalition in Russia
Putin and his assumed successor, Dmitry Medvedev [at left], spoke in public recently. Their messages weren't coordinated. It makes me wonder about the relationship to come between ex-president/prime minister Putin and President/ex-deputy prime minister Medvedev.First a report on Medvedev's speech: Medvedev Pledges Reform in Russia
"The presumptive successor to President Vladimir V. Putin presented his platform... on Friday, giving a speech before business leaders in Siberia in which he vowed to continue Russia’s economic revival, but also struck markedly liberal notes...
"'Freedom is better than nonfreedom,' he said in his opening remarks, according to a transcript provided by his campaign. 'These words are the quintessence of human experience.'...
"'The talk here is about freedom in all of its manifestations: about personal freedom, about economic freedom and at last about freedom of self-expression,' he said. He added, 'Freedom is inseparable from the actual recognition of the power of law by citizens.'...
"Mr. Medvedev pressed on, issuing an implicit and broad indictment of Russia’s current state of civic affairs. He moved past the economic and political successes of Mr. Putin’s eight years in power and focused on the country’s deep and enduring problems.
"The courts, he said, are riddled with corruption, the state bureaucracy is weighted by indifference, predatory officials and bloat, and Russia’s business climate has been smothered.
"Mr. Medvedev, like his sponsor, outlined a need for more attention to social programs and health care. 'Part of the population is practically still socially comatose,' he said. 'They see neither opportunities nor prospects of improvement of their living standards. Hence, the drunkenness and a still very high level of suicide.'..."
And Putin's final press conference at president: Putin sees long-term role for himself
"In Vladimir Putin's valedictory presidential news conference, he claimed credit for Russia's rise from the ashes, accused the West of reviving Cold War fears and said he hopes for a long tenure as prime minister after he leaves the presidency in May.
"'I don't see any serious failures,' he said, speaking in the Round Hall, a cavernous Soviet-style auditorium in the cloistered precincts of the Kremlin grounds. 'All the goals that were set were reached, and the tasks fulfilled.'...
"'The premiership is not a transitional post,' Putin said. 'If I can see that in this capacity I can fulfill these goals, I will work as long as possible.'
"He strongly suggested he would govern in tandem with Medvedev. While the president sets the course for the country, he said, 'the highest executive power in the country is the government of the Russian Federation' — which he would direct as prime minister...
"As he has repeatedly, Putin declared Russia's allegiance to democracy. But then he went on to praise new laws that have eliminated all genuine opposition from parliament.
"At one point Putin contrasted what he called Russia's 'quiet' presidential contest, where Medvedev is almost certain to win over three token opponents, with the seemingly unending political turmoil in Ukraine.
"'Democracy is not a bazaar,' Putin said."
In summary, here is Vyacheslav Nikonov's op-ed piece for Project Syndicate. (Nikonov, president of the Moscow-based Politika Foundation.)
Putin and Medvedev: Teammates or Rivals?
"Vladimir Putin’s decision to serve as prime minister should Dmitri Medvedev become Russia’s next president has made their electoral success in March a virtual certainty...
"But, while Medvedev’s victory... appears assured, the important questions will arise after the ballots are counted. How will power be distributed between Medvedev and Putin?...
"Many commentators underestimate the prime minister’s powers. According to the Constitution, the prime minister is head of the executive branch, and the government is empowered to determine the main direction of domestic and foreign policy.
"Much depends on who is prime minister; heavyweight politicians holding the office can potentially eclipse the president...
"Of course, stability requires agreement between the two key actors; and there are sure to be plenty of opponents and allies trying to stir up trouble between them. But Putin and Medvedev have worked together for more than 17 years with no serious conflicts. Moreover, Putin has never made a mistake about the loyalty of the people he promotes..."
Labels: leadership, politics, Russia
posted by Ken Wedding @ 8:54 AM
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