NEWS / RUSSIAN POLITICS IN REVIEW, JANUARY 2009       Site map

29.01.2009 Russian Politics in Review December, 2008 - January, 2009 The following resource is meant to quickly introduce the reader to political issues in Russia with a focus on politics impacts life in Russia and to what extent the political field can be cause diverse or reflective of the population. This news review is part of SRAS's monthly "obzor" publications. For more reviews, see the newsletter for this corresponding month. To receive the free monthly newsletter and obzori by email, simply sign up.   Youth Politics Miss Congeniality, make way for Russia's Miss Constitution Russia's main pro-government youth group, Nashi, is to stage the "Miss Constitution 2008" contest as the Kremlin is pushing for changes to the constitution that critics say aims to let Prime Minister Vladimir Putin become president again. Anti-opposition forces protest against protests Protesters from Russia's liberal opposition rallied in the latest of a series of unsanctioned Dissenters Marches that were held in Moscow and St. Petersburg over the weekend. But they were not the only ones to 'celebrate' Russia's Constitution Day on Dec. 12. A pro-Kremlin youth group gathered to celebrate Miss Constitution 2008 in the capital with a 5,000-strong rally.   Opposition Parties More Active in Time of Crisis Russian Opposition Politics in a Time of Crisis Russian opposition parties and politicians became more vocal and active as the global economic crisis hit Russia. While it's died down some, here's how the Russian media has reported on the phenomenon and the parties. Opponents Protest Kremlin's Presidential Term Effort One of Russia's opposition parties has challenged the Kremlin's whirlwind legislative campaign to extend the term of the Russian presidency, saying it violates a law requiring parliament to wait a year before ratifying a constitutional amendment. Anti-Putin, But Pro-What? The meaning of the protests in Russia. Russian Opposition Figure Detained Over Crisis Article Police have detained an opposition politician in the Russian city of Ulyanovsk over an article on economic hardship in the region. The arrest comes amid mounting Kremlin nervousness about the financial crisis in Russia, which has sent the ruble plummeting to record lows. Will Russia's Opposition Rise To The Occasion? We democrats have yet to prove we are capable of winning hearts and minds in Russia. Russian Protests A Danger In System Without Safety Valves Recent demonstrations across Russia are one sign of growing social tensions resulting from the global economic crisis. However, opposition political groups are having a hard time translating the public's concerns into calls for change. Well-Directed Wishful Thinking Finally! The liberal opposition in Russia has an organization it can call its own. Russian Antigovernment Protesters Detained As many as 100 people were detained, including Eduard Limonov, the head of the banned National Bolshevik Party, said a spokeswoman for Other Russia, a coalition of opposition groups led by Mr. Limonov and the former chess champion Garry Kasparov, among others. Russia Cracks Down On Government Critics As the Russian economy tanks, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's government is turning up the heat on its critics. A draft law would expand the definition of treason — and that has human rights organizations worried. NPR's Moscow correspondent Gregory Feifer and host Andrea Seabrook discuss the law's potential implications. Kasparov forms opposition group to 'dismantle' Putin regime Kremlin critics led by former world chess champion Garry Kasparov launched Saturday a new opposition group called Solidarity, vowing to "dismantle" the regime of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Russian Liberals split Russian liberals are split over a new political party established with the Kremlin's blessing. The new party will have to reconcile its liberal agenda with its expected loyalty to the Kremlin. Stand up and be Counted! I can't accept that a crisis has a sobering effect. What I see is that it hits many people hard, and affects their life plans. Some of them will almost certainly perish physically. Democrats Meet To Form Joint Program Despite provocations and obstacles created by authorities aimed at preventing a new democratic movement from holding a conference, the event finally took place in St. Petersburg Tensions Mount Over Mass Protest City Hall on Thursday downgraded a major oppositional protest event scheduled for Sunday to a stationary meeting at the Chernyshevsky Gardens, far from the city center, organizers said after meeting with officials. The protest is the latest in a series of actions that are known as Dissenters' Marches.   Medvedev Public Opinion and Statements "What's on the other side?" Muscovites ask as Medvedev speaks Muscovites turn out to have taken more interest in television series than in President Medvedev's interview with major TV channels aired on Wednesday. Interview with Russian Television Channels Interview given by President Dmitry Medvedev to journalists of Russian television channels on December 24, 2008. Is Medvedev's Wife Pushing Him to Be President in More than Name? Dmitry Medvedev's wife Svetlana stands behind the Russian president's recent moves to distance himself from his mentor Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and thus become that country's pre-eminent leader not only by title but in fact, according to a leading Italian journalist. Medvedev Looks to Fill Senior Posts President Dmitry Medvedev said that a final list of the country's top 1,000 managers, which the Kremlin is compiling to help fill senior government posts, has been completed and will be made available to the public. Russian leader pledges to continue social programs Russia's financial crisis may slow development but won't derail state social programs, President Dmitry Medvedev said amid new warnings that the government next year would face its first budget deficit in a decade. Medvedev and Obama top media darlings list The Russian leader and the incoming US president were the two people most often shown in a positive light in the newspapers and on TV, a recent survey showed. Opening remarks at the Cabinet Meeting on December 29, 2008 In his assessment of the past year, President Dmitry Medvedev noted that the targets set as part of the 2020 Strategy, and those of the medium term, had been met, said that in the coming year social services will be a key priority for the country's leadership. Russian President Medvedev launches interactive blog Internet users are now able to leave comments on Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's personal video blog, he announced on his personal page on the Kremlin website on Monday. Russian president: anti-crisis steps inefficient Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday issued a veiled criticism of his predecessor and mentor Vladimir Putin, saying the Cabinet has dragged its feet in implementing anti-crisis measures. Excerpts from Speech at the VII National Congress of Judges Addressing the delegates to the Congress, Mr Medvedev said that public confidence in the court system needs to be higher. The President made a number of proposals on improving judges' professional level and effectiveness, making information on the courts' work more open to the public, providing legal aid, and ensuring enforcement of court decisions.   The Tandem How are the boys getting along? The Sochi Tea Party As Russia's economic miracle fades, tensions in the ruling elite are becoming sharper. And the last thing the Kremlin needs right now is for an increasingly restless public to see a divided elite in the midst of an economic crisis. Better that they see their leaders skiing and sipping tea. 'Yearender': Russian Political Situation Remains Stable Under Medvedev-Putin Rule Russia underwent a smooth transfer of power in 2008, with former President Vladimir Putin stepping down and his handpicked successor Dmitry Medvedev taking over. For Russia, A Dark Horizon Uncertainty is creeping up on Russia. For the first time since Vladimir Putin's rise to power, Moscow confronts the prospect of real political instability. Putin, Medvedev Immensely Popular in Russia Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev continue to enjoy high ratings in Russia, according to a poll by the Yury Levada Analytical Center. Medvedev takes apparent swipe at Putin Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, on Sunday took another apparent swipe at Vladimir Putin, rebuking the prime minister's government for moving too slowly to alleviate the country's economic crisis. Crisis puts Putin's power "tandem" in doubt A plunging rouble, ravaged stock prices and rising unemployment are threatening to upset the delicate power structure used by Vladimir Putin to rule Russia from beyond the Kremlin. Economic crisis pressures Russia's ruling tandem Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev has twice rebuked the government led by his predecessor Vladimir Putin in the past couple of weeks, raising questions of whether a rift is developing between the powerful former Kremlin leader and the man he chose to replace him.   Putin Public Opinion and Statements Putin Reveals His Reading List, Greatest Fault The best advice Vladimir Putin says he ever got was from his late mother, Maria: "Don't ask for anything and don't complain about anything." Russia Cracks Down On Government Critics As the Russian economy tanks, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's government is turning up the heat on its critics. A draft law would expand the definition of treason — and that has human rights organizations worried. NPR's Moscow correspondent Gregory Feifer and host Andrea Seabrook discuss the law's potential implications. Russian PM Putin untarnished by crisis – poll Eighty-three percent of Russians polled by the independent Levada Centre said they approved of Putin's leadership, the same level recorded in October. The Myth Of Putin's Popularity A lot has been made of the recent public unrest in Russia and the brutality with which the authorities have responded. The protests are sign that the tacit deal -- the social bribe -- between Vladimir Putin and the Russian people is coming unraveled under the pressure of the financial crisis. Putin still favorite politician among Russians – survey Even though Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has traded his presidential chair for that of the premier, he still remains the most popular politician in the country, according to a recent survey. Putin's fantastic run of luck is in danger of petering out There are two big dangers for Putin. One is a substantial forced devaluation of the rouble. The other is a sharp increase in unemployment. The Global Elite. #9: Vladimir Putin Vladimir Putin officially stepped down from the job last May, but he remains firmly in power. He can and probably will run for president again in 2012. Putin's Third Way Speaking to a group of foreign investors on October 20, 2008, Russia's prime minister, Vladimir Putin, boasted that in contrast to policy makers around the world, including those in the leading international financial institutions, he had not been caught unawares by the present financial crisis. Getting The Russian Revival Right Russians - or in particular, the military and security elite around Prime Minister Vladimir Putin - view themselves as the natural heirs to the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. In other words, Russians are exhibiting a classic symptom of a country on the mend: national honour. Putin's Up-and-Down Year Russian leader was riding high at start of 2008, but world recession has taken its toll. Mr. Putin's Bailout As western governments scramble to manage the economic downturn, Russia's Vladimir Putin, whose country is in deeper trouble than most, is pursuing his own crisis strategy. The difference is that the Kremlin's approach is aimed at rescuing one man -- Mr. Putin -- and banks more on political repression than monetary tools. Uncle Volodya's flagging Christmas spirit The Russian government is beginning to run out of the goodies that it has traditionally used to buy popular acquiescence. Russia experts only partly convinced by Putin's optimism The tone of Putin's answers was calming and this is understandable. However, his statement that Russia will get out of the economic crisis with minimal losses is excessively optimistic. Is Putin's Regime Less Vulnerable than Monarchist Russia in 1916 or the Soviet Union in 1990? Putin's regime has joined two other authoritarian regimes in twentieth-century Russian history. However, there are two specific features of Putin's regime that make it even more vulnerable than the other authoritarian regimes.   Reform and Civil Legislation Judicial Reform and Back-tracking Russia's Judicial Counter-Reformation In a recent two-part series of articles published in the online magazine "Yezhednevnyy Zhurnal," Soviet-era dissident Aleksandr Podrabinek connects the dots and argues that the soft-authoritarian regime established by Vladimir Putin over the past decade is about to be transformed into something much harsher. Russia Approves Presidency Bill A bill to extend the presidential term from four to six years has been backed by Russia's upper house of parliament after regional assemblies endorsed it. Russia Senators Give Final Nod To Longer Presidency The upper house of parliament unanimously approved extending Russian presidential terms on Monday, a constitutional amendment which has fueled speculation Vladimir Putin will return as head of state. New Law In Russia Ends Jury Trials For 'Crimes Against State' President Dmitry Medvedev signs the controversial measure with little publicity. A pending Putin-backed law widens the definition of treason. Government critics fear the stage is set for a crackdown. Russian Push On Treason Raises Fears In a country where government critics already feel vulnerable, legislation to expand the definition of treason has inspired a new round of hand-wringing about how far the state will go to rein in dissenters and regulate Russians' contact with foreigners. Russian Duma approves anti-corruption bill in third reading The bill requires politicians and state officials to make a public declaration of their income, property and assets and that of their spouse and children. In addition officials are required to report all incidents involving possible or actual corrupt activities. Bill to close down 'extremist' websites pulled from Russia's Duma A draft law to toughen control over electronic media, including in the Internet, as part of efforts against extremism has been withdrawn from Russia's lower house of parliament for further discussion.  Bill Gives People The Right To Know The Russian State Duma is to consider in a third and final reading a bill spelling out citizens' right to gain access to government documents and outlining punishments for officials who do not comply Putin, Medvedev Reportedly Split on Firing of Official Who Refused to Crush Vladivostok Protests When a Vladivostok interior ministry official refused to break up a demonstration there at the end of December, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin demanded that he be fired, but since that time, President Dmitry Medvedev has spoken out in support of the official who remains in office.   Regions More of the Opposition Comes to Power 'Two Russias' – Urban and Rural -- Increasingly At Odds, Tver Official Says Like Disraeli's description of England in the 19th century, the Russian Federation of today has split into "two Russias" increasingly different and isolated from one another and increasingly hostile to each other, a development that one provincial official argues is not sustainable for much longer whatever those in Moscow may believe. Ex-opposition leader approved governor of Russia's Kirov Region Legislators in the Kirov Region in northeast European Russia approved Nikita Belykh, the ex-leader of a Russian opposition party, as governor on Thursday. Far East Drivers Get Leaders to Listen In a rare example of grassroots political power, angry protests by drivers prompted lawmakers in the far eastern Primorye region on Monday to ask the country's two leaders to delay raising import duties on foreign cars. Chechnya, Ingushetia At Odds Over Borders Chechen human rights organizations have demanded that the border between the two republics be formally delineated to return to Chechen jurisdiction some districts that have been part of Ingushetia since 1934. Personnel Appointments Fuel Circassian Demands For Own Republic In the 100 days since his inauguration as Karachayevo-Cherkessia's president, Boris Ebzeyev has angered the Circassian minority by violating an unwritten agreement on the distribution of top posts among various ethnic groups. Ingushetian Court Calls Opposition Leader's Shooting Death 'Accidental' A court in Nazran has refused to classify the recent shooting death of an Ingush opposition leader as murder. Chechnya's Ruler Puts His Faith In Islam - And A Leadership Cult In Chechnya the headscarf is just the start of a drive by Ramzan Kadyrov, the 30-year-old president, to promote a more Islamic society, though many question whether what he is doing is legal according to the Russian constitution, which strictly separates church and state. The Crisis in Georgia Is an Opening for the West: The Case for Tatarstan Independence-minded activists in the Russian national republics of Tatarstan and Ingushetia have made prominent claims that if Russia is willing to recognize the right of self-determination of Georgia's former constituent ethno-federal units up to and including the right to independence, it must also logically do so for its own ethno-federal units. Personnel Appointments Fuel Circassian Demands For Own Republic In the 100 days since his inauguration as Karachayevo-Cherkessia's president, Boris Ebzeyev has angered the Circassian minority by violating an unwritten agreement on the distribution of top posts among various ethnic groups.   Other Politicians Russian Conservatives Challenge Notion Of 'Universal' Values Many influential Russian conservatives deny the "universality" of the concept of human rights and argue that each culture must define rights on the basis of its own traditions and national values. Ecology Minister Trutnev a VIP Guest at Friday Night Fights Although Trutnev and Kiriyenko play leading roles in the country's martial-arts scene, they have received much less of the combat sports' spotlight than Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, a judo master, whose love of the sport has generated endless coverage in the media.    Study Politics in Russia The Library: Politics in Russia SRAS Resources for Teachers   Find out more! SRAS Travel Services More Study Abroad Programs Internships in Russia Heath and Safety in Russia The SRAS Newsletter Journal for Students More Free Resources!  Questions or comments? Contact the editor. « back to News archive print this page email this page