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View Full Version : Russian democracy put off life support today


Ancalagon
10-01-2007, 08:18 PM
Hello

Well that's pretty balsy of Puttin. Why even bother with the pretense? Sheesh...

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/10/01/russia-putin.html


Putin says he may be Russia's next PM
Last Updated: Monday, October 1, 2007 | 1:27 PM ET
CBC News

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday raised the "realistic" possibility of becoming the next prime minister by agreeing to lead his dominant political party in December's parliamentary election.

Putin announced he would head United Russia's candidate list, which could open the door for him to become a powerful prime minister at a later date and lead in tandem with a weakened president.

"As far as heading the government is concerned, this is a quite realistic suggestion, but it is still too early to think about it," Putin told his party's congress, which prompted an ecstatic cheer from his supporters.

The Russian leader set two conditions on becoming prime minister — a win by United Russia in the Dec. 2 election and the election of what Putin described as a "decent, competent, modern person" as president.

Putin, who succeeded Boris Yeltsin in 2000, is barred by Russia's constitution from seeking a third straight term in the presidential election, which is scheduled for March 2008.

The announcement comes the day after former world chess champion and leading Putin critic Garry Kasparov entered Russia's presidential race Sunday, elected overwhelmingly as the candidate for the country's beleagured opposition coalition.
Putin's seat not sure thing

In September, Putin dissolved the government and nominated Victor Zubkov — a little-known economist who has headed the country's financial monitoring service since 2001 — as a candidate for the prime minister. Zubkov's nomination was approved in parliament the next day.

But as speculation ran rampant in recent months over who would replace him, Putin has given indications he would remain in politics in some capacity with a role in the government. He also has not ruled out another presidential run in 2012.

His decision also likely ensures that United Russia retains a two-thirds majority in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, enough to change the constitution.

Leading the party's ticket does not mean Putin will take a seat in parliament. Prominent politicians and other figures often are given the top spots to attract votes, but stay out of the legislature after elections.

The 450 seats in the Duma will be distributed on a proportional basis among parties that receive at least seven per cent of the vote.

Northcott
10-02-2007, 12:39 AM
How long until the office of Prime Minister overwhelms the President in terms of power? Or, alternately, how long until a state emergency necessitates that the PM/Putin have more thorough rule to ensure the safety of his people? Or until Kasparov dies in a tragic accident of poisoning and/or disease?

doc
10-02-2007, 04:30 PM
More to the point how long until Putin appoints himself , Premier For Life ?

Northcott
10-02-2007, 04:34 PM
More to the point how long until Putin appoints himself , Premier For Life ?

There is, apparently, a strong movement among the Kossaks to do just that. Somebody posted an article where one Kossak was openly championing the idea of Putin being made a new Czar.

doc
10-02-2007, 04:49 PM
There is, apparently, a strong movement among the Kossaks to do just that. Somebody posted an article where one Kossak was openly championing the idea of Putin being made a new Czar.

And how long afterward will the asshole try to reclaim all the former Soviet terr. ??

Northcott
10-02-2007, 09:59 PM
I think that depends on the weakness of individual states. There are signs that Russia's already doing just that, but this time through political manipulation rather than using force. Much like Syria keeps chipping away at Lebanon.

Atticus_of_Amber
10-02-2007, 10:29 PM
To some extent, we are now reaping what we have sown in Russia.

By hard-selling "big bang" market reforms in eastern Europe, the West has really discredited capitalism, democracy and the rule of law in the minds of the Russian population. They now associate those words with corruption, dog-eat-dog competition, poverty and hypocrisy.

If that path has been discredited, a competent, nationalist hard man must seem the only rational solution.

A less dogmatic, piecemeal, Marshall plan style reformism encouraged by the West would have put Russia in a very different place today.

So yes, I have to say: Bill Clinton, as much as I love you, you fucked this one up royally!

Having said all that: Russia and the US are always going to have a tense relationship, their interest are such that they are likely to often compete.