step aside, putin!
by Max Clark
Published: May 9, 2008
This week saw the ascension of the third leader of post-Soviet Russia, Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, ending the presidency of Vladimir Putin. For most of a decade, Putin has been one of the more interesting characters in the global forum, giving Russia the strength to get out of a depression, both fiscally and emotionally, giving the world a strong Russian state and giving the West the finger. This week, however, the strongest president Russia has had since Stalin is stepping aside, literally, into the Prime Minister position. Putin is gone but not forgotten, and not really gone either. So let’s remember him during this important time of minuscule transition.
A large criticism of this former KGB-man has been that in his move toward progress he has also moved back towards Soviet-era strategy, running his office as dictator rather than president. Of course, there is a definite silver lining. First, the world will continue seeing this man’s face on the front page of the major news agencies, which the most adamant opposer will admit is a rather well put together.
Also, we must remember that things could be worse. Yeltsin drank away his presidency, allowing Russia to collapse into poverty and corruption as an elite few took over the economy and hoarded wealth for themselves at the expense of the people. Whereas Putin is accused of marginalizing the power of the parliament, Yeltsin shelled them with artillery.
Admittedly, Russia’s major businesses have become increasingly state-owned, the media is less free and the neighbors in the former bloc have repeatedly been reminded both directly and more subtly (for instance, by the total withdrawal of their hydrocarbon shipments) that Russia is the Eastern Europe seat of power. While Russia is greatly improved from where it was a decade ago, the global community is asking the trillion-dollar question: where is Russia going to be in 10 years?
While some are seeking to answer this by looking at the man Medvedev, even more are continuing to look at Putin. Officially, Medvedev will have absolute control over Putin and Parliament, with powers to dissolve the body as he pleases, but in looking at the man who was recently ranked by Time as one of the 100 most influential people on earth (a distinction still led by Oprah) on his way out the door, it is clear to everyone where the power lies. And despite the lies regarding this power, all eyes will be looking just over the new president’s shoulder for many years to come.
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