The Russian President wants to effect changes in statutes to retain his role for life

With a global tilt towards authoritarian regimes, their leaders, be it in China, Turkey and Russia, demonstrate similar political logic of absolutism and are challenging the reforms phase of the 1990s. In this respect, there are undeniable comparisons between Chinese Premier Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both count as being the most “powerful” yet “feared” leaders of the world. Both are territorial about extending their spheres of influence and have grown in stature not through an attempted coup but skilled political manoeuvering. So, Putin’s succession plans to amass Jinping-like powers by either amending his country’s Constitution or handing more powers to institutions — the Government, Parliament or a new body — and become a lifetime strongman weren’t surprising a bit. In fact, signs were visible earlier in 2008, when Putin skirted around the consecutive, two-term presidential limit by becoming the Prime Minister under the then President Dmitry Medvedev. The same year, the Russian Constitution was amended, which extended his presidential term from four to six years.

Undoubtedly, Russia under Putin’s leadership has gained in stature. From being a nation distraught by the fall of the Soviet Union, an empowered Russia under Putin has taken centrestage in world affairs. International manoeuvering in the form of political manipulation vis-a-vis the US, the wresting of Crimea from Ukraine and intervention in Syria have all strengthened the country’s image abroad. Domestically, however, there is a lot to be desired. The Russian economy is in a shambles. A growth forecast of 1.8 per cent for this year has stagnated at 1.3 per cent. The long-awaited rebound in living standards, too, hasn’t happened. The country largely remains dependent on oil and natural gas despite the availability of human resources and a wide range of natural wealth in abundance. To compound problems further, ever since the last decade, the country has seen a wave of protests. The most recent was the demand to let independent candidates run in the local elections. This in effect reveals a complete lack of faith in existing institutions. Citizens have become tired of the regime’s propaganda and are now raising their voices to restore a new wave of democratic changes. The challenges ahead are far too many but Putin has crafted a vacuum of succession so that he appears as the only deliverer. Nobody can dare challenge him.

(Courtesy: The Pioneer)

The Russian President wants to effect changes in statutes to retain his role for life

With a global tilt towards authoritarian regimes, their leaders, be it in China, Turkey and Russia, demonstrate similar political logic of absolutism and are challenging the reforms phase of the 1990s. In this respect, there are undeniable comparisons between Chinese Premier Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both count as being the most “powerful” yet “feared” leaders of the world. Both are territorial about extending their spheres of influence and have grown in stature not through an attempted coup but skilled political manoeuvering. So, Putin’s succession plans to amass Jinping-like powers by either amending his country’s Constitution or handing more powers to institutions — the Government, Parliament or a new body — and become a lifetime strongman weren’t surprising a bit. In fact, signs were visible earlier in 2008, when Putin skirted around the consecutive, two-term presidential limit by becoming the Prime Minister under the then President Dmitry Medvedev. The same year, the Russian Constitution was amended, which extended his presidential term from four to six years.

Undoubtedly, Russia under Putin’s leadership has gained in stature. From being a nation distraught by the fall of the Soviet Union, an empowered Russia under Putin has taken centrestage in world affairs. International manoeuvering in the form of political manipulation vis-a-vis the US, the wresting of Crimea from Ukraine and intervention in Syria have all strengthened the country’s image abroad. Domestically, however, there is a lot to be desired. The Russian economy is in a shambles. A growth forecast of 1.8 per cent for this year has stagnated at 1.3 per cent. The long-awaited rebound in living standards, too, hasn’t happened. The country largely remains dependent on oil and natural gas despite the availability of human resources and a wide range of natural wealth in abundance. To compound problems further, ever since the last decade, the country has seen a wave of protests. The most recent was the demand to let independent candidates run in the local elections. This in effect reveals a complete lack of faith in existing institutions. Citizens have become tired of the regime’s propaganda and are now raising their voices to restore a new wave of democratic changes. The challenges ahead are far too many but Putin has crafted a vacuum of succession so that he appears as the only deliverer. Nobody can dare challenge him.

(Courtesy: The Pioneer)