Moskovsky Komsomolets
A spy’s triumph
Dear Mr. Putin, or president, as we will soon be calling you – just like in the good old days.
Due to mere formalities, these letters have been rather coldly addressed to “Mr. President” for the last three and a half years. But that frost is behind us; you yourself saw how warmth flooded the United Russia party convention as the ruling tandem finally dropped their masks.
A shower of admiration rained down on you. And you, still largely human, let down your guard and made a horrifying, albeit obscure, confession: “I want to tell you directly that we have long since reached agreement on what we will be doing in the future,” you said. “That agreement was reached several years ago.”
It might have gone unnoticed but your loyal fellow Mr. Medvedev craved for his share of the glory and spelled it out passionately and wordily. “In light of the proposal that I head the party list, do party work and, if we perform well in the elections, my willingness to engage in practical work in the government, I think it would be right if the party convention supported Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as presidential candidate.” The excitement clearly stripped Medvedev of his eloquence. But there’s more to come.
“I want to fully confirm what I just said. What we are proposing to the convention is a deeply thought-through decision. And even more, we already discussed this scenario back when we first formed a friendly alliance,” – when was that, in 2007 or earlier?
“As for time we waited before publicly revealing our positions and the scenario for the next election, I hope that you, and the broader electorate, will understand that this was a matter of political expediency, linked to our country’s specific political practices. I would like to emphasize one thing: we always told the truth.” A western president would be impeached for this confession. But here this ‘eyewash’ merely equals “specific political practices”.
Nobody present noticed this cynical confession. But Russia is much more than government officials and the convention’s invited guests. Those who retained clarity of mind amid all this excitement realized that you have both been lying for four years. Speaking about who would be the next president you said dozens or hundreds of times that you would “sit down at a table and decide”. Not only did this answer neglect public opinion, it was simply a lie.
Why this cynical candor? Why not say: “All these years we have been mulling over what will be best for Russia and finally decided last night”?
It matters little whether anyone believes this, all that matters is that decorum was observed. Now it all came crumbling down, like old plaster.
For all these years Dmitry Medvedev kept on saying that the decision was yet to be taken and that public opinion was what mattered most. In fact, the decision had been taken. And nobody ever thought to ask the people.
Nezavisimaya Gazeta
Tandem to continue in power
The recent United Russia party convention caused a sensation by actually announcing the outcome of the 2012 presidential election six months before it is due to take place. Prime Minister Putin plans to reclaim the post of president, while President Medvedev will become his prime minister.
“I am aware that [people] are expecting the Russian president and prime minister to voice proposals on the country's power configuration and government structure after the elections. I want to tell you directly that we have long since reached an agreement on what we will be doing in the future. That agreement was reached several years ago,” Putin told the convention. “However, both Mr. Medvedev and I said that it is hardly the most important thing who will do which job and occupy which position. What's more important is the quality of work.”
“It has become a tradition in recent years for United Russia's election list to be headed by the country's president. I believe we should not change this tradition,” he said. Medvedev heading the party list “will enhance the party's prestige and guarantee its anticipated and honest victory.”
Medvedev said: “All of us in this room believe that the party itself needs a major overhaul. It must become more open, efficient and, if you want, more rigorous in advancing its priorities.”
Alexei Chesnakov, head of the Center for Current Politics in Russia, said the situation is not extraordinary: “Medvedev has always stressed his positive attitude to the party. He said he and the party think alike and that political development should proceed through competition, with due regard for the ruling party’s opinion.”
Medvedev once said “there will come a time when the president will also be nominated by the ruling party,” Chesnakov recalled.
Olga Kryshtanovskaya, director of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Center for the Study of Elites, said Putin “will not halt modernization because of his deal with Medvedev. Russia will not survive without modernization.”
She said that economically Putin “will have to be liberal” because “everything will go down the drain without business development.”
Public Chamber member Vladimir Mamontov told NG the two key events at the convention – Putin’s suggestion that Medvedev head the party election list and Medvedev’s proposal that the convention back Putin’s nomination for president – will “ensure conditions for political stability, continued industrialization and modernization.”
If the party wins the elections, we will have “an innovative pro-modernization parliament implementing Putin’s idea of new industrialization or Medvedev’s modernization policy,” Mamontov said. “But the difference between the two is very little.”
Leonid Polyakov, deputy dean of political studies department at the Higher School of Economics, said “the place and the time for making these crucial announcements were well chosen.” He also said they were no sensation: “When Medvedev became president in 2008, he agreed with Vladimir Putin to cooperate until 2012.”
The United Russia convention has laid to rest “all fears and uncertainties regarding the country’s future.”
Komsomolskaya Pravda
Why Alexei Kudrin wants to leave office
Finance Minister Kudrin’s announcement this weekend no doubt cheered his enemies. He said he could not picture himself in any cabinet that might form after the 2012 elections.
“I do not see myself in a new government," he told reporters in Washington. “It is not just that I haven’t been offered a job, My differing views will preclude me from joining this government, there is a host of disagreements over economic issues. Chiefly over military spending.” he said.
He is one of Russia’s longest serving ministers. He has been in office since May 2000. So what made him want to make these statements?
“Kudrin is known for his sincerity,” said Mikhail Vinogradov, head of the St. Petersburg Politics Foundation. “He has long called for unpopular economic measures. He is clearly not confident that the next government will listen.”
Could he just be tired?
“Kudrin has been in office for over 11 years,” Vinogradov said. “But people like him are always balancing between weariness and the need to continue what they started. Kudrin is the architect of Russia’s macroeconomic stability. Government agencies have been developing an ever increasing appetite for ‘budget pie’ and the finance minister served as a good buffer.”
Kudrin was criticized for saving windfall oil revenue in a rainy-day fund rather than investing it in the economy; his strategy proved justified as it softened the blow of the global crisis. However, many analysts still believe the money should have been spent on infrastructure development. That could have given our economy extra impetus to growth. Kudrin always responded by saying that if the funds are distributed – they would simply be embezzled. He probably had a point.
Kudrin – On a double dip
“The global economy is in for a lost decade. Although the recession is, perhaps, avoidable, growth rates will be low for the next five to ten years. And significant effort will go into fighting to keep growth alive. When 2008 approached, we didn’t understand the scope. That’s why we were less anxious. Now we are taking a more serious view of the areas of risk.”
Kudrin – On a Greek default
“If a front is breached, no matter how small the break, the entire front is weakened risking allowing the enemy closer to the heartland. This increases the risks to the system.”
Igor Shuvalov – First Deputy Prime Minister
“Kudrin will remain in the leading team after the 2012 elections. With Kudrin’s 12-year experience in government, he should be able to consolidate the country’s economy and finances in any configuration.”
Natalia Timakova – Spokesperson for President Dmitry Medvedev
“President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin assume that all federal officials will keep their posts. Anyone who feels otherwise should be ready to change careers.”
Dmitry Peskov – Spokesman for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
“Kudrin is away on business. […] He has always been outspoken on many issues. He is a professional economist. […] There is no doubt he will remain on Putin’s team.”
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