Commentary

Putin for Life- by Greg Strid

Russian president Vladimir Putin endorsed first deputy
prime minister Dmitri A. Medvedev as his successor
yesterday- this could be considered news. But, today’s
announcement that Medvedev would name Putin as his
prime minister should he win the presidential election
in March, was not.

Putin is barred by the Russian constitution from seeking
a third term as president. By assuming the role of prime
minister, he can act as party chief, or more appropriately,
mafia don, with the ability to wield influence from behind
the scenes.

Mr. Medvedev, a former law professor, is but a young pup,
and by most accounts, he owes his status, and probably the
air he breathes, to his master, Mr. Putin. One item missing
from Medvedev’s resume is a link to the FSB or the KGB,
Russia’s present and former security services. This is
considered by many pundits to be a positive, albeit a small
one.

But, his relative obscurity may raise the chances that
Medvedev will be manipulated by his master, and will not
be an independent actor. Putin has worked hard to
consolidate his power in Russia. There is really only one
viable political party, United Russia, no truly independent
media outlets, and those who oppose Putin or United
Russia end up in jail or they leave the country altogether.

United Russia recently swept parliamentary elections, and
their campaign was centered squarely on Putin’s wondrous
achievements. Medvedev, with the backing of United Russia,
will undoubtedly win the presidential election in March. And,
Putin will then be named prime minister. This post will allow
him to wield his influence, and due to Russia’s constitutional
quirks, allow him to run for president again.

If Putin continues to exert his will on Russia after he steps
down as president, the chances for true democratic reform
will whither to the point of no return. It is time for America
and Europe to deal with him in a meaningful way. Russia
still needs western help, and booms in commodity prices
cannot mask the decades of destruction brought on by
communist rule. Above all, Putin needs to know that he is
fooling no one, and that he needs to step aside and let
Russians freely decide who should govern their nation.

© Greg Strid 2007

© 2007 Splendid Marbles.