NEWS / RUSSIAN POLITICS IN REVIEW, FEBRUARY 2009       Site map

06.03.2009 Russian Politics in Review February, 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.   Medvedev Medvedev slams Russian lethargy on crisis President Dmitry Medvedev scolded Russia's top regional bosses Friday for moving too slowly to counter the economic crisis and warned they faced a "moment of truth" as the credit crunch spread. Medvedev to Deripaska: gov't should protect big firms Business clan rivalries must not lead to the collapse of big firms, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday in remarks addressing the concerns of Russia's most indebted businessman, Oleg Deripaska. Chattier Medvedev Could Be Testing Path To 'Real Power' Dmitry Medvedev reassures the nation that it has little to fear from the current economic crisis. Russia's Medvedev orders crackdown on extremists President Dmitry Medvedev ordered a crackdown on Wednesday on extremist groups which he said were trying to exploit Russia's economic crisis by sowing instability. Medvedev to push security, economy goals on Spain visit President Dmitry Medvedev will push Kremlin plans to revamp European security and upgrade Russia's trade ties with the EU when he visits Spain next week, officials and experts said. Russian president orders rework of treason bill Russia's president has ordered his administration to rework a controversial treason bill submitted by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's cabinet, a top Kremlin official was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying Tuesday. Medvedev Invites Gorbachev to Kremlin After Reporter's Murder Russian President Dmitry Medvedev invited former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, a part-owner of Novaya Gazeta, to the Kremlin after a reporter for the newspaper was murdered in broad daylight this month. Medvedev Meets Editor of Newspaper Where Slain Journalists Worked President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia held a surprise meeting on Thursday with the editor of Novaya Gazeta, an independent newspaper that has established itself as one of the Kremlin's sharpest critics and that 10 days ago lost a 25-year-old reporter in what apparently was a contract killing. Medvedev warns top Russian officials off luxury vacations-paper Russia's president has warned senior officials against visiting luxury resorts abroad amid concerns over the country's image and public discontent, a newspaper said on Wednesday. Stepping Out From Putin's Shadow With recent moves, Medvedev edges away from prime minister and his economic policies. Medvedev Institute Warns of State Grip on Economy Russia's reaction to the world economic crisis threatens to increase state control over the economy and reduce national competitiveness, according to a research institute close to President Dmitry Medvedev. Russian president's blog tops 10,000 registered users More than 10,000 people have registered at Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's personal video blog since it stared accepting comments less than a month ago. Medvedev and Putin losing people's support In the last half a year since the crisis hit the country, people's approval of the president and the prime minister and their policies has decreased by 10 and 7 per cent respectively, according to VCIOM survey.     Official Statements Dmitry Medvedev's Television Interview The head of state answered questions on measures to overcome the financial crisis. Speech at the Expanded Session of the State Council Presidium The President said that despite the difficulties associated with the economic crisis, the country cannot afford to renounce its strategic projects aimed at making the Russian economy more competitive. This remains one of the top priorities for the years ahead. Speech Celebrating Defenders of the Motherland Day The head of state congratulated the troops and the civilian personnel of the Armed Forces of Russia on the upcoming holiday and wished them health, prosperity and success. Remarks at a Meeting in the Prosecutor General's Office The meeting discussed the results of the Prosecutor General's Office's work in 2008 and examined priority tasks for 2009. The main subjects on the agenda were the fight against corruption, terrorism and crime, and social issues, in particular guaranteeing citizens' rights and lawful interests during the economic crisis. Medvedev warns over unrest amid economic crisis Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday urged the country's security establishment to be on its guard to quash any disorder arising from the economic crisis. "On the Condition of the Correctional System of the Russian Federation" The President emphasized the need to humanize the corrections system, improve conditions in correctional facilities, and bring the laws on the corrections system into line with international standards. Mr Medvedev also indicated the need to draw up effective programmes for former prisoners' social rehabilitation. Presidential Council for the Development of the Information Society in Russia Dmitry Medvedev stressed the need for the digitization of the resources of major archives, museums and libraries, creating systems for recording the results of research, design and development activities funded by the state, and the creation of centres for distance-learning to help disabled children and provide them with computers. Beginning of a Meeting with President of the Constitutional Court On February 14th, Dmitry Medvedev met with President of the Constitutional Court Valery Zorkin. Beginning of Working Meeting with Chairman of the Audit Chamber The President accented importance of Audit Chamber's involvement in implementation of anti-crisis measures and rational expenditure of funds.   Opposition Gorbachev criticizes pro-Kremlin United Russia party Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev has criticized the initiatives of Russia's pro-Kremlin United Russia party during a meeting with students at a Moscow university on Friday. Russian Communists urge leadership change Around 3,000 Communist Party supporters demonstrated in Moscow demanding the resignation of the country's leadership, as Russia marked a Soviet-style holiday honouring the army. Opposition says Russia's main economic problem is Putin Russian opposition leaders accused Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday of wasting billions of dollars in public funds and said he was Russia's main obstacle to coping with the global financial crisis. Moscow police, army brace themselves for 'weekend of rallies' Police and the military in Moscow are bracing themselves for more than 10 rallies expected to be held in the Russian capital this weekend by different parties and organizations, a police spokesman said. Russian opposition raps army reform Opposition Russian lawmakers joined disgruntled military leaders on Wednesday in criticizing a reform plan that aims to transform the country's top-heavy and bloated army into an efficient modern force. No More Welfare For Russia's Oligarchs A crisis is an opportunity to rid an economy of ineffective owners and make enterprises more agile and innovative. At least, that's the way it works in other countries.   Other Domestic Politics As Crisis Deepens, Russian Finance Ministry Battles 'Siloviki' For nearly a decade, hard-nosed security-service veterans and bean-counting economists have comprised the two key pillars of Vladimir Putin's authoritarian regime in Russia. Today they are locked in a high-stakes and potentially destabilizing bureaucratic war. Some 3,700 corruption cases launched in Russia over 2008 The top Russian prosecutor said the accused also included deputy heads of some Russian regions. Kremlin rules out direct popular elections of Russian governors The Kremlin will not reinstate direct popular elections for regional governors in Russia, deputy head of the presidential administration Vladislav Surkov told journalists on Tuesday. Police tops Russia's corruption chart Most of the Russian officials jailed on corruption charges in 2008 were working for the police. Additionally, 1300 Russians were sentenced for accepting bribes in 2008. Medvedev revives rights council after criticism Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has revived a council of human rights advisers, the Kremlin said, following a series of prominent murders and sharp criticism from the West. Lukin remains Russian rights ombudsman for another 5 years The lower house of parliament voted on Wednesday to retain Vladimir Lukin as Russia's official human rights ombudsman for another five years. New charges against jailed Russian oil tycoon Russian prosecutors said Monday that new embezzlement and grand theft charges have been filed against oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who is serving an eight-year prison sentence on charges his defenders say are politically motivated. Moscow mayor attacks Kremlin's economic policy Moscow's mayor accused the Russian government on Tuesday of making the financial crisis worse with its economic policies, renewing a battle between economic liberals and rivals who favor a bigger state role.   Political Commentary The end of Russia? On its present course, Russia is doomed, claims the distinguished historian, Yury Afanasiev. Why did reform change nothing? Why has the wheel of history turned back to autocracy? 500 years of oppression are reaching a terrible climax. In this important, excoriating essay, he challenges his people to face the truth about their history. Russia Heading toward 'Semi-Collapse,' Moscow Scholars Say Drawing on the information models of D.S. Chernyavsky, scholars at the Moscow Institute of Applied Mathematics at the Russian Academy of Sciences have concluded that Russia is rapidly entering a period of "semi-collapse," in which large parts of the country will either fall under the influence of other countries or separate completely. Russian Politicians and Officials No Longer Writing Memoirs, But Oligarchs Many Russian officials and politicians in Boris Yeltsin's time wrote their memoirs, either after leaving office or even while still serving, but that pattern, a dramatic break from the Soviet past, has now been reversed, and few if any of their counterparts in the last decade have done the same, according to a Moscow columnist. Russia's hard line gains a softer edge Amid economic crisis and political feuding, the Kremlin invites Gorbachev to share his thoughts. President Dmitry Medvedev has even taken to criticizing his mentor and prime minister, Vladimir Putin. Political Aide Says Kremlin May Need to Ease Control Vladimir V. Putin's Russia has become so controlling that political and economic liberalization may be an essential part of engineering an economic recovery here, a close aide to President Dmitri A. Medvedev said Monday. Will there be another Russian revolution? As the cold, hard realities of the global economic meltdown hit home in Russia's remote industrial 'monotowns', Vladimir Putin is facing the first serious challenges to his authority. Is anarchy just around the corner? Regime change happens fast ­ so how stable is Medvedev? What seems obvious with hindsight was invisible in 1917. Birth of Russian politics Denis Bilunov's political timing is excellent. On February 13, he called the inaugural meeting of Solidarity, a new would-be opposition group in Russia, which stands a better chance than any of its predecessors in challenging the Kremlin's hold on power. Russia braced for more challenges Russia's transition from a centrally-planned economy to free market capitalism has not been smooth, and the global downturn is providing yet another challenge with jobs being lost and wage payments being delayed.   Putin Arkady Ostrovsky, Reversal of Fortune Vladimir Putin's social contract has been premised on an authoritarian state delivering rising incomes and resurgent power. But the economic crisis is unraveling all that. And what comes next in Russia might be even worse. Putin's Rule: Its Main Features and the Current Diarchy Peter Reddaway, George Washington University, updated version of the October 15, 2008, Alexander Dallin Memorial Lecture, Stanford University. Putin opposed to reviving capital controls Vladimir Putin, the Russian prime minister, on Friday spoke out against reviving capital controls to defend the rouble following calls from conservative officials for restrictions to prevent government bailout funds being taken out of the country. Russia's Putin warns against economic protests Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned opposition critics on Friday not to use the economic crisis as an excuse to challenge his government and told them to abide by the law. Is Putin Pushing Russia Off a Financial Cliff? Russia in recent weeks has used its apparent financial clout both to knock an American back out of Kyrgyzstan and to solidify its relationship with Kazakhstan. But recent economic data suggests that when it comes to assistance to Central Asian states, the Kremlin may be running a geopolitical Ponzi scheme -- guaranteeing returns that it will not be able to produce. Putin's Grasp of Energy Drives Russian Agenda Russia's overarching goal is to prevent the West from breaking a monopoly on natural gas pipelines from Asia to Europe. International Media Council Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held a news conference on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, on January 29, 2009, the second day of his visit to Switzerland, for members of the International Business Council and the International Media Council. International Business Council How would you like the world to see Russia? What image would you like Russia to have? A Threat to Putin's Big Plans Will Russians admire Mr. Putin as much when oil is at $40 a barrel as they did when it was at $140 a barrel? And if Russia's economy seriously falters, will his system of hard, personal power prove to be a trap for him? Can it relieve public anger, and can he escape the blame? At Russia's Borders, Bureaucracy Defeats Both Law and Putin Despite the adoption more than two years ago of a law calling for simplified procedures at border crossings and Vladimir Putin's insistence both as president and as prime minister that it be implemented, rival groups within the bureaucracy have blocked any serious improvement in the way that country's crossing points work.   Regions In from the cold: workers flee Stalin's frozen north before the lights go out Land once tamed by USSR is reclaimed by snow and ice as families flee south. Crisis and discontent in Russia's regions In the current crisis the strongest regions economically are being hardest hit. Putin's policy of centralizing government is also being called into question by widespread demonstrations in the Far East. Russian president fires senior officials over slump Russian President Dmitry Medvedev removed four regional governors and demoted a minister on Monday in one of the biggest purges in years, a sign of Kremlin concern that the global slowdown is fuelling social unrest. Fear Comes to the Russian Heartland It may be too late for Putin to avoid trouble in hundreds of rust-belt 'monotowns.' Slain Exile Detailed Cruelty of the Ruler of Chechnya For more than two years, Mr. Israilov, a Chechen in exile, had formally accused Russia's government of allowing a macabre pattern of crimes in Chechnya. Even by the dark norms of violence in the Caucasus, his accusations were extraordinary.   Xenophobia / Racism Attacks Against Minorities Up in Russia Human rights groups are warning of a new wave of xenophobia in Russia, especially as the country's economy sinks deeper into recession. The Kremlin Vigilantes As anti-immigrant groups grow more violent, they get more explicit support from Russian authorities. Russian Extremists Threaten to Kill Journalists, Lawyers and Rights Activists An anonymous Russian extremist has sent an email to a Russian human rights monitor saying that his people have decided it will attract more attention to their cause if they kill journalists, lawyers and human rights activists than continuing to murder “Daghestani or Armenian students.” Putin's worst nightmare Luke Harding reports on the rise of the Russian far-right. Extremists and the mainstream When Russians talk about extremism they usually think of fringe groups with radical views and unorthodox - if not downright repugnant - methods of promoting those views. Most of society would condemn these groups' extremist views out of hand. But what if more mainstream, supposedly respec­table groups pursue these issues with similar tactics?   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