Sergei Pugachev is seen during an interview with Reuters in Paris, France, September 22, 2015. REUTERS/John Schults/File Photo
Reuters: Exclusive: Former Kremlin insider recounts Putin’s moves to retain power
LONDON (Reuters) - When Russian President Vladimir Putin was preparing for last month’s nationwide vote on potentially extending his rule until 2036, he let the veil slip on part of the calculation behind the constitutional change.
“If this doesn’t happen, then in about two years – and I know this from personal experience – the normal rhythm of work of many parts of government will be replaced by a search for a possible successor,” Putin said in an interview with state TV channel Rossiya. “We must be working, not looking for successors.”
The Kremlin won the vote, declaring it a triumph. The constitution now will allow Putin to return to power for another two six-year terms. Independent monitor Golos, however, reported unprecedented vote fraud, and political opponents say the elaborate maneuvering over the ballot has weakened Putin’s legitimacy. Public discontent over Putin’s rule has begun to spill into the open in Russia’s Far East, where tens of thousands have marched in protest for the past three weekends.
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WNU Editor: This sounds about right. The only thing that I would like to know is what did then Prime Minster Putin say to then President Medvedev to convince him to not run for the Presidency a second time. That meeting was only between the two of them, and behind closed doors. All that I know is that after that meeting Medvedev was a completely changed person.
WNU...what would be your quess what was said in the meeting? Your usually pretty accurate....TY
ReplyDelete"Pugachev said he believes Putin might still be considering standing aside again. The recent constitutional vote may give Putin time to resolve a succession plan behind the scenes, without the pressure of the clock ticking on his final term, Pugachev said."
ReplyDeleteA charitable view is that Putin will adopt someone. It will not be an official adoption but a Roman adoption.
"Under Roman law, an adoption established a bond legally as strong as that of kinship. Because of this, all but the first and last of the Nerva–Antonine emperors are called Adoptive Emperors."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerva–Antonine_dynasty#
If Putin is under the clock/under the gun people will jockey for position and Putin may get a result he does not like. And Putin may be right.
It may be more than to pick someone who can hold power and not come after Putin until he passes to old age. It might be that Putin wants someone, who he believes, will lead Russia in the right direction (& of course not course after him in retirement).
Democrats will go after Crimea. Not because they care, but it will make them look like they care and if it is low hanging fruit, why not. That is what happens, if Russia is weak. Putin know things like this and other things are possible. It has been point out that Democrats have painted themselves in a corner in regards to Russia. But it was also pointed out that rules do not apply to Democrats. So who knows.
The editor asked: "The only thing that I would like to know is what did then Prime Minster Putin say to then President Medvedev to convince him to not run for the Presidency a second time."
ReplyDeleteI have no insider knowledge, but I have two educated guesses:
1) Putin offered Medvedev a huge bribe
2) Putin blackmailed Medvedev in some fashion.