Putin’s 25 years: The Russian president cements its power – the world

The first democratically elected President of Russia Boris Jeljcin suddenly resigned 31. December 1999. His Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, which was in that place of August that year, he took over the constitution of the president’s competence. After three months, March 26, 2000. Putin received 52.9 percent of the vote in the presidential election.

Putin is 25 years in power. On the way to the undisputed autocratic Lord of Russia, he acted strategically – for a few years he left the President’s place and took over the Prime Minister.

Replacement of the chair in the Kremlin

Then according to the constitutional provisions in Russia, the president could not have more than two bound terms. Thus, in the election 7. May 2008. there was a replacement of the armchair. His close associate Dmitry Medvedev, former Head of the Supervisory Board Gazprom, became the president of the Russian Federation.

The day later, Duma chose Putin for the Prime Minister on the proposal of Medvedev, with 87.1 percent of the support in parliament. Although Medvedev formally had the greatest power, the strings were pulled Putin in the background.

Russian political policy Mikhail Komin says that Putin created a « most pretendous personalized dictatorship of the world » in these 25 years. He adds, « Russia, of course, is not North Korea, the country is too big for such a way. But more and more citizens are that way to lead to the line. »

The Komin says that Putin had a goal from the beginning of democracy in his advantage: « Today, the total power of the Russian state is concentrated in the hands of a single person, in Putin’s hands. »

The Komin reminds that all began to remove « regional autonomy »: « One of the most important political reforms of the first Putin’s mandate was the introduction of so-called representatives of the president in regions. »

Their task was to control regional policy. The Kremlin thus had his own control instrument in the regions, and that was the foundation of strengthening the authorities. « The influence of the Kremlin did not only reflect the governors but also on their surroundings, including local large entrepreneurs. »

The Russian political policy that lives in Finland’s Grigorij Nišnikov is similar to: « If we remember Russia from the early period of Putin’s rule, we will remember several regional centers, and constitutional and informal, for example in the hands of oligarch.

Nisnikov adds that Putin destroyed it all, centralized and ruined the authorities directed towards himself.

Putin and Tramp: Brothers in spirit?

In foreign policy, the approach of Washington and Moscow, which began during the first term of US President Tramp (2017-2021). For the first time, Putin and the tram in person met in July 2018 in the summit in Helsinki.

German political science and historian Helmut Miller-Enbergs said in one interview for T-Online, « Tramp is for Putin’s greatest gift in his political life. »

Miller-Enbergs reminded that in the negotiations on Ukraine Putin, he offered « tying chocolate Mus – raw materials, and thus the perspective of fulfillment of pre-election promise. » He added that Putin at international law does not have these raw materials.

The Spokesman Kremlin Dmitry Peskov recently indicated that Putin and Tramp have good relations and talk more often than it is assumed.

The state apparatus under Putin does not suffer opposition

Putin’s increasingly powerful power towards experts rests on both external and internal plan on military threat and repression. Nisnikov says that there were certainly events that could be dangerous for Putin in the past 25 years.

Protests in Moscow After the 2014 Parliamentary Election, Riocesy, Protest Pension Reform 2018, Protests Led by Nairywash in the coming years, Invasion of Ukraine, which caused street protests … and every time the regime responded even more strongly repression.

The Našnikov politicologist reminds that « one opponent was removed with each of these events ». There is no one more anyone else to oppose Putin.

Mikhail Komin says that the weakening of the courts in the second Putin’s mandate was also part of increasing the scope of his power. Putin prone judges advanced.

The Komin believes that this is why the judiciary in Russia is not independent. In the end, the courts could only slow the state repression over the citizens, but not to stop it.

In addition, the election law is tailored to the extent of Vladimir Putin and his parties unique Russia.

« There were several changes. Now the ruling party dominates the opposition system, not thanks to social topics that played a role in the first two Putin’s mandates, » says Komin.

Russian sociologist Aleksandar Bikbov believes that Putin gathered some kind of shade of cabinets in the shadows, where people who share concrete business interests. Their companies get large state affairs and so rich: « Putin all the time everything has on the rise and is personally busily involved in all that. »

Manipulation of collective historical memory

The company shows the image of Russia towards which in history she played exclusively a positive role. Everything is negatively suppressed, and the conflicts from the past erased, says Bikbow. He calls it « by manipulation of collective historical memory, » which also strengthens Putin’s power.

The sociologist states an example of closing the KGB archives for the public, because « dark chapters of Russian history » were recorded there. Bikbov says Russia under Putin produces a picture of the « Golden Putl » from one Russian fairy tale – it’s a picture of Blessed Russia.

There is also viewed through pink glasses, so « and the imperial family and Stalin are presented as guardians of the same tradition ».
Not the end of Putin’s rule

All three experts speaking to DW believe that the tendencies described will be stronger and that Putin will rule long. « The problem is that there is no alternative candidate, and there is neither a place for him. The last elections that Putin really won were, in 2004. All others were not fair, » says Mikhail Komin.

The expert believes that Putin, who was elected in March last year for the next six years, and 2030. Be a candidate. « I think he will still rule another term. The duration of his rule is limited only by his physical age. »

And Grigorij Našnikov says that the Russians do not see the alternative to the Putin, but they say the war, which will still rob the earth. The Image that Gourses is – today’s stability is more important than tomorrow’s changes. « 

Niznikov adds that the solid hand always sought in Russia: « A strong leader has always had decisions and solve the Russians in the end of the Governor, and not the president. And if Putin learned about it, would immediately solve the problem. It is an ancient Russian tradition, reminds Nišnikov.