Medvedev is Russia's new President

Kirsten · 7th May 2008, 9:38am

Dun dun duuuuunn!

Putin's old protege has been inaugurated as Russia's third president since 1991's collapse of the Soviet Union..

Big Vlad obviously couldn't run for a third consecutive term, but considering who's now in the big boy's seat, he's likely to remain a pivotal figure in Dmitry's administration.

Dmitry Medvedev served as Putin's first deputy prime minister, and was also chairman of Gazprom. He originally trained as a solicitor in Petrograd, but has no significant links to the FSB, unlike his predecessor.. He has overseen major social initiatives in the areas of agriculture, health and education; despite not being a member of any political party (although he does consider himself a democrat).

So, is he just going to be another political puppet on a string, controlled by Putin, putting forward his policies, etc (I think so), or is he going to be a stronger figure than that..?

Either way, I don't see their ties being broken, nor Putin's strong influence being wielded, but it'll be interesting to watch what happens next

slicer · 7th May 2008, 9:59am

I think the word "interesting" is about all I can manage. That and "hmmmmmm".

Kirsten · 7th May 2008, 10:14am

Russia's GREAT, Graeme!

Nah, I just mean, what signs of change in Russia's foreign and domestic policy when he officially takes over; and the ripple effects they will have.
For example, Putin wanted to diversify the Russian economy and end the dependence on energy; which isn't a necessarilly bad thing - but decisions like this will lead back to him.

Also, Medvedev is the first Russian president not to have been in the communist party or the KGB, so it'll be quite interesting to see how this administration differs...if at all, especially with Russia's heightened sensitivity over events abroad, where there's a predicted pattern of further hostility. The Russians are particularly fucked off at the American anti-missile defence system, as well as at their anti-Russian sentiments in the former Soviet republics; and by the decision to recognise the separation of Kosovo from Serbia - but if this attitude prevails, the arrival of Medvedev might see a slight change of tone, given his different background and personality, although probably not much change in the underlying policy - for obvious reasons!

slicer · 7th May 2008, 10:39am

Well, I suppose. It could make for a more "friendly" seeming Russia, from the media's perspective, if you know what I mean. They really like to make Putin out as a TOTAL hard ass that dislikes/distrusts the rest of the world lmao.

Hammer · 7th May 2008, 10:42am

I don't think we'll see any changes at all. Putin will still be calling the shots.

Draven · 7th May 2008, 10:46am

I don't actually think there's anything wrong with Putin, I think he has done a lot of good for Russia. Clearly some things could have been done/handled better and some things are rather dodgy (the "poisoning" of that exile for example), but then we can say exactly the same thing about Blair/Brown.

It will be interesting to see how things go, I have a suspicion that Medvedev will actively be different to Putin since the entire world sees him basically as a puppet.

Semprini · 7th May 2008, 6:34pm

The key word is consecutive. Medvedev will serve one term and Putin will be back.

I'm Your God Now · 7th May 2008, 6:36pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer

I don't think we'll see any changes at all. Putin will still be calling the shots.

Exactly.

I love Russia anyway

Odin jazyk nedostatočno!

endless psych · 7th May 2008, 6:38pm

The key question is "how hairy is he?"

Hammer · 7th May 2008, 6:40pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semprini

The key word is consecutive. Medvedev will serve one term and Putin will be back.

Two years ago, I was saying that Putin would just alter the Constitution to suit himself. I'm still amazed he didn't, because he could completely get away with it in Russia's current political climate.

I'm Your God Now · 7th May 2008, 6:40pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by endless psych

The key question is "how hairy is he?"

Russian Presidents tend to be the least hairy people in the country, even their wives have more.

endless psych · 7th May 2008, 6:41pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by I'm Your God Now

Russian Presidents tend to be the least hairy people in the country, even their wives have more.

Well it depends how odd or even they are.

Dario · 7th May 2008, 6:46pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draven

I don't actually think there's anything wrong with Putin, I think he has done a lot of good for Russia. Clearly some things could have been done/handled better and some things are rather dodgy (the "poisoning" of that exile for example), but then we can say exactly the same thing about Blair/Brown.

I am going to pretend that you're taking the piss. I'm aware that you're not, but I'm going to pretend that you are, regardless.

Hammer · 7th May 2008, 6:47pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dario

I am going to pretend that you're taking the piss. I'm aware that you're not, but I'm going to pretend that you are, regardless.

I want to make sweet love to you rep you again.

Kirsten · 9th May 2008, 7:11am

Quote:

Originally Posted by I'm Your God Now

Exactly.

I love Russia anyway

Odin jazyk nedostatočno!

Here, see if you're going to try to speak Russian Ross, at least make the effort to stick in the proper written Crylic for it ya cunt!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draven

I don't actually think there's anything wrong with Putin, I think he has done a lot of good for Russia. Clearly some things could have been done/handled better and some things are rather dodgy (the "poisoning" of that exile for example), but then we can say exactly the same thing about Blair/Brown.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semprini

The key word is consecutive. Medvedev will serve one term and Putin will be back.

Exactly, that's why I said it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirsten

Putin's old protege ...Big Vlad obviously couldn't run for a third consecutive term, but considering who's now in the big boy's seat, he's likely to remain a pivotal figure in Dmitry's administration.

...another political puppet on a string, controlled by Putin, putting forward his policies, etc (I think so), or is he going to be a stronger figure than that..?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer

Two years ago, I was saying that Putin would just alter the Constitution to suit himself. I'm still amazed he didn't, because he could completely get away with it in Russia's current political climate.

What's happening right now is basically a variation of that though. It's been so manipulated again, in a manner that provides a "new face" but is basically still going to have Putin as a continuing significant player. If it weren't for Article 81 of the Russian constitution preventing anyone from being president more than two terms in a row, he'd still be up there - and surprise surprise - Medvedev almost immediately put forward Putin's candidacy for prime minister to parliament.

This way, by personally endorsing Medvedev in advance, he will have the chance of running again for president in 2012. Putin was also endorsed as president in a similar manner anyway. Nothing ever really changes; and Russian politics are generally always pretty easy to predict anyway... but I think a few shifts are going to take place on a more international level by then, which may cause a few unexpected blips along the way... but we'll just have to watch this space