12.12.2008
Russian Politics in Review
November, 2008The 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 Moscow youth for Obama
Many young people in the Russian capital are hoping that Democrat candidate Barack Obama will win. They say it will bring a much needed change to relations between Moscow and Washington. Social Movements and the State in Russia
This issue of the Russian Analytical Digest examines the social movements in Russia including the Nashi (Ours) youth movement and political uses of the internet. Russian Activist Predicts Mounting Crisis, Change
A founder of the Russian pro-democracy youth movement Oborona, Oleg warns that he expects the global financial crisis to grip his country more deeply than any Western country. Thousands Rallied in Downtown Moscow
Activists of United Russia and its Young Guard movement held the rally of many thousands in downtown Moscow Tuesday. The event was timed to the People's Unity Day celebration in Russia. Domestic Economy
New economic concept; imports encouraged Domestic Concept-2020
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin approved Concept-2020 - a macroeconomic document that lists the priorities of our country's socio-economic development between now and 2020. Gov't Lifts Industrial Equipment Duties
First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov yesterday made permanent the temporary exemption from import duties on equipment for metallurgy, construction, the forest industry and textile production for which no equivalent is made in Russia. The government thus intends to help plants modernize in 2009, even in the midst of a global crisis. Customs Hit Target In Advance
Despite the decline in oil export duties from November 15, Customs collected 17.9 billion ruble above the target. This record amount points to the absence of material decline in the imports at least in October. Putin Pledges To Prevent Financial Collapse In Russia
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin vowed to do "everything" to prevent the kind of financial crises that shook the country after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Crisis Opens Door To Reprivatization
The government denies that its bailout measures might lead to a broad redistribution of property or that it will end up owning private companies. But First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov has acknowledged that the rescue package will likely be accompanied with abuse. Opening Address At "On Measures To Promote National Competitiveness In A Global Financial Crisis"
The theme of today's meeting of the State Council of the Russian Federation is national competitiveness within current economic conditions. Competitiveness is not an abstract concept, one found only in books, but rather a tangible, practical thing. And when we talk about competitiveness today we will do so in relation to the current financial and economic situation. Justice, Law, and Civil Society
Medvedev, gov't admits flaws in system Pres. Calls for More Humane Laws
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, speaking at the 7th National Congress of Judges, called for the use of alternatives to imprisonment as criminal punishment and for proposals to "humanize" the law. Medvedev says suspects' rights violated in Russia
Russian Federation President Dmitriy Medvedev thinks that only particularly dangerous criminals should be remanded in custody pending trial. Russia's Justice Ministry to List Offices of Highest Bribing Capacity
The RF Justice Ministry is elaborating a register of offices of the highest bribing capacity that call for intense scrutiny, RIA Novosti reported with reference to the interview that Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov gave to Rossiysskaya Gazeta.
NGO Congress Off to a Loud Start
Several Russian human rights organizations, with the Moscow Helsinki Group at their head, officially refused to take part in the Regional Congress of Nongovernmental Organizations, taking place in Penza December 4-7.
State Duma Amends Essence of Trial by Jury
The RF State Duma is willing to introduce on Friday the amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, which will significantly lower the number of cases tried by the jury. The cases of persons accused of committing terror acts, spying, subversive actions, high treason and staging mass riots will be the concern of the ordinary court, where the sentences of acquittal aren't so frequent. Public Opinion Nearly 3/4 of Russians Are for Tougher Control
The Russians mostly support recent proposals of President Dmitry Medvedev concerning establishment of political system and civil society development, Interfax reported citing sociological polls held in the country.
The Nation Is for Openness, Restructure, Control
Most of the Russians stand for the political reform spearheaded by President Dmitry Medvedev, particularly in the portion where Medvedev suggests toughening control and removing mayors from offices. YUKOS Cases Esquire Interview with Mikhail Khodorkovsky
The fate of the former richest person of Russia gives me no peace. And not at all because he is the richest. It was specifically on the YUKOS case that we lost the independence of the judiciary – an institution without which a democratic society can not exist. Moscow court sets $1.8 mln bail to release ill ex-Yukos executive
Aleksanyan, 36, diagnosed with AIDS and cancer, is accused of embezzling about $330 million from former Yukos production unit Tomskneft and shares worth $493 million from other oil companies, as well as laundering stolen assets. Mercy That Eludes Medvedev
Nearly 86,000 people have signed a letter asking President Dmitry Medvedev to pardon Svetlana Bakhmina, a former lawyer for Mikhail Khodorkovsky's oil company, Yukos. Politkovskaya Case Politkovskaya murder trial delayed until December
A Moscow military court announced on Thursday a break until December 1 in the trial of suspects in the murder of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya. The delay is due to defense attorneys being engaged in another trialю Moscow military court forms jury for Politkovskaya murder case
Jury selection was completed for the trial in a Moscow military district court of three men over the October 2006 murder of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Karina Moskalenko, a lawyer for Politkovskaya's family said that the jury "is ethnically diverse, almost balanced between the sexes, and aged from 35 to 60 years." Russia on Trial
Justice for one murdered journalist would bring justice closer for an entire country. Moscow court closes Politkovskaya trial to public
A Moscow court reversed itself Wednesday and barred the public and media from the trial of three men accused of murdering investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya after jurors complained press coverage could put them risk. Juror Defies Russian Court's Attempts to Close Trial
The trial of three men accused of helping to organize the murder of one of Russia's most prominent investigative reporters, Anna Politkovskaya, took a surprise turn Thursday as a juror publicly challenged the court's decision to hold the proceedings behind closed doors. Russian court opens Politkovskaya trial to public
A Russian court decided Monday not to ban reporters from the trial of three men accused in the killing of journalist Anna Politkovskaya — paving the way for an open trial where details of the much-criticized investigation will be made public. Probe of Judge's Decision Ordered
The Supreme Court opened an internal probe into the decisions of the judge who had closed to the public the trial of the alleged murderers of journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Other Court Cases, Crimes Russian court supports UK Council
A Russian court has thrown out most of the tax claims made against the British Council, some of whose Russian offices were closed amid a diplomatic row. Moscow Murder Mystery
The murder in Moscow of two Catholic priests raises unsettling questions amid tensions between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church. Russian police suggest the priests were together when killed but their Jesuit order says that's impossible -- they died two days apart. Method In The Arbitrariness
In March, rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin issued his annual report in which he said the greatest problem in the country's "unsatisfactory" human rights climate is "the arbitrariness of the law enforcement organs." Bureaucrats Are Mostly the Victims of Contract Killing in Russia
The number of contract killing has lowered in Russia in the recent years. But the trend has changed. Previously, for instance, the victims were mostly the leaders and members of criminal gangs, businessmen and entrepreneurs. Nowadays, however, the crimes are mostly committed against the bureaucrats. Judge Left Hope for Freedom to Frenkel
Moscow City Court Judge Natalia Olikhver delivered yesterday the judgment of guilt re: the assassination of first deputy head of CBR Andrei Kozlov and his driver. Ex. CEO of VIP Bank Alexei Frenkel was jailed for 19 years for ordering the murder, as the judge didn't upheld prosecutors demand for the life sentence. Litvinenko Died by Accident, Lugovoy Said
The cause of the death of former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko was probably casual handling of radioactive polonium; it is one of the primary leads, said the RF State Duma member Andrei Lugovoy, who is wanted by Britain in connection with Litvinenko's death in November of 2006. Extended Presidential Term
President may serve six years, Duma five Extending Russia's Presidential and Legislative Terms
Reactions and commentary from several sources. Russian parliament to put presidential term bill on fast track
A Russian parliamentary committee proposed on Wednesday that consideration of amendments to the constitution that would extend the presidential and parliamentary terms be fast-tracked. Half of Russians Support Extension of Presidential Term
More than a half of Russians (56 percent) support the proposal of RF President Dmitry Medvedev about extension of presidential term and the term of the Federal Assembly, signaled the poll of All-Russia's Center for Public Opinion Studies.
Duma Says No to 7-Year Presidency
The Russian State Duma Committee on Constitutional Law and State Building has rejected the proposal that the presidential term in Russia be extended to seven years, RIA Novosti reports. That proposed amendment to the Russian Constitution had been introduced by Duma member from the LDPR Sergey Ivanov. Constitution geared for next president
The State Duma has passed the third and final reading of amendments to the Russian Constitution, thereby effectively extending the term of office for the president from four to six years. The bill was passed by a vote of 392 to 57, with no abstentions. Russian Regions
Life and politics outside Moscow Moscow Losing Clout in the Regions
Following its transition to a confrontational stance with the West, Moscow is in no condition to initiate modernization in the social sphere, much less to modernize the archaic regimes of its "strongman" regional leaders. List of Governors at Risk Drawn Up
About ten heads of Russian regions may be replaced soon, according to the new Rating of Governors' Political Survival. Besides governors whose terms are near completion, those who have been involved in public scandals and those who failed to establish good relations with federal powers are endangered. Mayor killed in troubled Russian Caucasus
Vitaly Karayev, the mayor of Vladikavkaz, was seriously hurt when his car was fired upon Wednesday morning, and he later died from gunshot wounds, the North Ossetian internal ministry told CNN. Ingushetia Will New President Bring 'Kadyrovization' To Ingushetia?
Why did Russian President Dmitry Medvedev name Yunus-Bek Yevkurov as president of Ingushetia? According to one regional expert, Yevkurov has been given the same task as the president of the neighboring Republic of Chechnya: to suppress the armed resistance and to take the situation in the republic under firm control. Moscow Removes Ingushetia President
No part of the Russian Caucasus today has a political situation hotter than Ingushetia's, and no leader in the volatile region has been less effective and more embattled than Zyazikov. Freedom House Welcomes Yevloyev Ruling
Freedom House hopes that Ingushetia's interim President Yunus-bek Yevkurov and Zyazikov's eventual permanent successor work quickly to end the impunity of security forces, strengthen the rule of law, and establish an effective working relationship with civil society. Chechnya Urban Renewal and Partial Amnesia in Chechnya
Grozny today is less a battlefield than the renovated seat of a new police state within Russia's borders, led by Ramzan Kadyrov, the republic's young and exceptionally violent president. Identifying Chechnya's Dead
The Kremlin and its handpicked leader take credit for what they say is a return to peacetime life in Chechnya. But despite a reconstruction boom in Grozny, Russia has yet to come to terms with the legacy of two devastating wars, and there has
been no systematic identification of the dead. Kadyrov Strengthens His Position
Two recent developments in Chechnya reflect the extent to which republic head Ramzan Kadyrov can still impose his will on Moscow to rid himself of any figure whom he perceives as a potential threat to his authority. Major Politicians
Acts; Statements on Major Issues Y. Luzhkov, Mayor of Moscow Kremlin Slams Luzhkov For Idea Of Restoring Governor Elections
Shortly after the presidential proposal for amendments to the Constitution extending the tenure of office of the head of state and State Duma members one of Russia's political heavyweights, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, came up with the idea of restoring direct elections of governors. He did so of his own accord, without an authorization from above. Mayor of Moscow Exports Russia's New Nationalism
Over the past decade, Mr. Luzhkov, 72, has spent hundreds of millions of dollars from Moscow's well-padded city budget in Russia's "near abroad," several city officials said. He has supported pro-Russian separatists in Moldova, built highways in rebellious Georgian enclaves and constructed housing for the Russian military on the Crimean peninsula in Ukraine. Russians React to Article on Moscow Mayor's Ventures
Some Russian readers described Moscow's mayor as a patriot for supporting ethnic Russians and their allies in former Soviet republics. Others said he was just meddling at the Kremlin's behest. And a third group debated how he had governed since taking office in 1992, with many saying his primary motive was personal profit. Moscow mayor urges return of governor elections in Russia
Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov has said Russia should reinstate direct elections for governors in the regions as a more democratic method of selecting regional leaders. Medvedev Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly
Full text, in English. Parsing Medvedev's Speech
RFE/RL's Russian Service Director Maria Klein discusses Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's first state-of-the-nation address on November 5. President Warns Tough Year Coming
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told regional journalists that the coming year will be a hard one for Russia due to the world financial crisis. He said that the heads of the world's largest countries are to some degree at a loss over the crisis because they do not see when it will reach its peak or end. Medvedev says no plans to quit early despite term change
an President Dmitry Medvedev said his proposal to extend the presidential term from four to six years, which will apply to the next president, did not mean he would resign ahead of time. Excerpts from the Transcript of Meeting with Representatives of the Regional Media
There are events that are of concern to the entire country. You named them. They do indeed include the Georgian aggression and the global financial and economic crisis. Putin Putin's Speech at United Russia Conference
Full Text in English Conversation with Vladimir Putin
Complete transcript, in English, of the Q&A live call in program with text of post-program press conference. Nationwide Movement 'For Putin' Flings Doors Open
The public offices will provide juridical consultations to the population to improve their knowledge of law. He tries to be different from the president he was
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held a live question-and-answer session with the public, broadcast yesterday. Kommersant special correspondent Andrey Kolesnikov, who watched all of Putin’s live sessions as president, thinks Putin did everything he could yesterday to create a different impression. Putin to launch own website next year
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will launch his own website next year containing news and information on the life of the premier. Putin's Rating Strong Despite the Turmoil
While Russians are becoming increasingly concerned about the country's trajectory in the unfolding global financial crisis, the approval ratings of their two leaders remain buoyant.
Putin's Consensus Among the Elite Tested by Deepening Crisis
The abrupt end of a petro-prosperity that had been taken for granted has revealed and exacerbated divergences and clashes of interests among various groups of loyalists, who suspect that their "social contracts" have been revised without their consent. Putin Sparks Speculation About His Return to Kremlin
Some opposition politicians, analysts and investors are guessing that the credit crunch and Russia's faltering economy may persuade the former president, now prime minister, to oust his chosen successor, Dmitry Medvedev, next year. Bill could hasten Putin's return as president
A series of constitutional changes that critics allege are meant to consolidate one-party rule and perhaps pave the way for Vladimir Putin's early return to the presidency are set to pass the Kremlin-dominated State Duma early this week. Putin says term-extension bill not meant for him
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that a bill that would extend the Russian president's term to six years was not tailored for him and would be a boost for democracy in the country. Political Parties
United Russia and everyone else United Russia Unified Russia Vows Stability Despite Financial Crisis
The fact that the Kremlin is working at least as feverishly on sweeping political reforms as it is on coping with the financial crisis creates the impression that the ruling elite in Russia is grappling with two crises simultaneously. As Putin asserted, one thing is clear: "As the party with a parliamentary majority, Unified Russia bears the full burden of responsibility for what is happening in the country." Russia's Putin to hold Q&A session as party leader in December
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will hold a live televised session with the public, his first as leader of the ruling pro-presidential United Russia party in December Russia's Putin to step into limelight at congress
The United Russia party meets for its annual gathering against a backdrop of fevered speculation that Putin, the former president, may be preparing to make a comeback to the Kremlin to guide the country through a period of economic turmoil. The congress gives a platform for Putin, now prime minister, to re-assert his status as Russia's most popular politician. United Russia Amended Its Charter
The 10th Congress of United Russia has amended the Charter today, November 20, 2008. The party's leader is Russia's PM Vladimir Putin and United Russia has majority in the RF parliament. United Russia Unites with Agrarians
Delegates to the tenth congress of the United Russia Party have voted to unite with the Agrarian Party, RIA Novosti reports. The party has passed a decision for the regional and structural divisions of the Agrarian Party to merge with United Russia. PM to Connect with Nation by Direct Party Line
The traditional direct line of Vladimir Putin with the nation, i.e. his TV intercourse with regions, is slated for December. This time, however, just a single TV company, VGTRK, will cover the event which format is of double interest. United Russia Sets to Scrutinizing the Country
Nowadays, the members of United Russia's faction of the State Duma are to monitor social and economic situation in all regions of the country. They will report the results of accomplished work through a special form, where one of the items provides for a personal meeting with heads of internal bodies and prosecutor office. Other Political Parties, Activists "Right Cause" Founded in Russia
"Right Cause" was founded largely on the basis on SPS, whose controversial disbanding drove its leader, Boris Nemtsov, a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin, to forsake the party and seek a union with Gary Kasparov. Boris Kagarlitsky, Peeved but Not Protesting
Although the crisis is developing quite nicely, the same cannot be said for the opposition. Although opposition groups previously criticized the government relentlessly on various issues, we have heard little from them lately. New Russian human rights NGO plans to go national soon
The new nongovernmental organization, All-Russia Civic Network (vernacular: Vserossiyskaya grazhdanskaya set), which has brought together (a number of) well-known public figures, plans to open branches in all Russian regions in the very near future. Vladislav Bugera: Protrait of a Post-Marxist Thinker
He says that he is not a Marxist, and it is true that some aspects of his thought ¬ notably, the primary emphasis that he gives to managerial power ¬ are not recognizably Marxist. However, Marxism serves as his starting point and its influence on his work is clearly enormous. Thus "post-Marxist" seems reasonable to me. New opposition democratic movement being set up in Russia
Public figures confirmed on Thursday that a liberal movement is being organized in Russia that would include opposition politicians and rights activists. New Kremlin-friendly party formed in Russia
The ostensibly pro-business Right Cause, which held its founding congress on Sunday, is not an opposition party, its leaders have acknowledged. That could help the party's chances of achieving what its predecessors could not — parliamentary representation. The Wind of History Blows Our Sail
The Communist Party must be ready to assume power, not miss the moment when the mass social revolt breaks out in the environment of global economic crisis, resolved the 13th Congress of the Communist Party of Russia held in Moscow past weekend. Zhirinovsky Suggested Making Supreme Ruler Out Of President
When elaborating the bill for president's authority extension for the second reading, the State Duma's profile committee rejected a number of amendments spiralheaded by Vice Speaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky.
Preventing A Union From Becoming A Movement
The Russian Justice Ministry today once again refused to register the Russian Popular Democratic Union, the opposition political movement of former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov. Russian Oppositionist Says Putin, Saakashvili 'Like Twins'
Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov says he sees a lot of similarities between Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and Russia's autocratic Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The Wind of History Blows Our Sail
The Communist Party must be ready to assume power, not miss the moment when the mass social revolt breaks out in the environment of global economic crisis, resolved the 13th Congress of the Communist Party of Russia held in Moscow past weekend. Commentary
Opinion on major issues Campaign against Democracy Continues in Russia, Freedom House Says
Freedom House has released extraordinary Freedom of Association Under Threat report that adds Russia to the list of 12 nations where the associational rights are particularly threatened. According to the report, the campaign against democracy continued in Russia even as Dmitry Medvedev took over as president. An Assessment of the Medvedev-Putin System
This issue of the Russian Analytical Digest features a political assessment of the relationship between President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The analysis postulates that the arrangement continues to undermine formal institutions in Russia while the Russian political system is being tested by the global economic crisis. Putin Vs. Wall Street
Russia's rulers continue to hammer away with their anointed party line on the financial crisis: We are blameless victims and it's all the West's fault. World Bank chief: Better ties with Russia a must
Russia's ties with the United States and the European Union must be improved to ensure stability, World Bank President Robert Zoellick said. Russia: Bully no more?
But the heady days of easy profits from energy sales seem to have come to an end -- at least for the time being. And the Russian government now must scramble to maintain an ambitious economic and political agenda with rapidly dwindling means. Could The Soviet Economy Be Re-established In Russia?
Recently created state corporations are now starting to play a major role in the Russian economy. Russia's economic system is becoming increasingly dependent on civil servants and the political leadership, rather than the market and competition. But Dmitri Travin believes it is premature to forecast a return to the administrative economy of the Soviet period. Russia and the Global Economic Crisis
Any international economic crisis afflicts different countries in different ways, but an unfortunate few experience every painful dimension of it. Will Russia's Financial Crisis Undermine Political Stability?
Some observers are warning that if the financial crisis spreads to the real economy and incomes fall along with living standards after nearly a decade of rapid growth, the results could be politically destabilizing. If Things Go Wrong In Russia, Who Will Take The Blame?
In the eyes of average Russians, Putin is taking on himself responsibility for the social problems and other issues arising from the financial and economic crisis in Russia. The Long Arm Of The State
The financial crisis may lead to renationalization by stealth. Mismanagement of Russian Economy Could Lead to Social Unrest
Experts see a very serious possibility of an abrupt collapse of the living standard and economic disintegration leading to social unrest, eventually followed by political upheaval. The Medvedev Doctrine
He wants to build a new security bloc and a gas cartel, and transform Moscow into a financial hub. Vladimir Putin's Power Is Devalued As Russian Economy Falters
It is easy to be distracted by Vladimir Putin's footwork as he seeks to extend his hold on power in Russia. It would be equally easy to lose sight of Russia's new financial weakness, and how that could undermine his influence, whether as prime minister or as president again. Find out more! SRAS Travel Services
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