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Amanda Roraback's World in a Nutshell |
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Putin appoints
Medvedev |
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IN A NUTSHELL: Russia's president Vladimir Putin nominated his loyal friend and protégé, Dmitry Medvedev, as the leading candidate of his Russia United Party to succeed him as president in the March 2008 elections. Under Russia's constitution, Putin is prohibited from running for a third term as president despite his popularity in Russia. But Medvedev is intending to keep Putin on as Russia's prime minister, traditionally a weak, bureaucratic role, and to defer authority to his mentor. Medvedev has said that only Putin can ensure national stability, prevent the collapse of the economy and prevent civil war. MEDVEDEV* BIO:
In 1988, Medvedev risked his career to help bring down Soviet one-party rule by publicly criticizing Stalinism and supporting Mikhail Gorbachev's economic reforms (dubbed perestroika). Medvedev, age 42 and a fan of Hard Rock music, is from the post-Soviet generation and represents a younger, more progressive style of governance. *The word "Medved" means "bear" in Russian. Coincidentally, the bear is the national symbol for Russia and the Russia United Party which now controls Russia's parliament. CONTROVERSY: Putin's endorsement and Medvedev's deference to his mentor as Russia's chief has been criticized in the West as undemocratic. Keeping Putin in a leadership role, either behind-the-scenes, as prime minister (a title which could be reformulated into a more influential position) or as head of the military would violate the intent of Russia's constitution to prevent leaders from assuming omnipotent, autocratic powers. On the other hand, historically, Russia has been led by strong personalities with dominant powers. If Putin didn't have "tsar" qualities, he might not have been as popular as he is in Russia today. Medvedev's rise may also be good for Russia and the West. Medvedev is one of the most modern and open-minded of the candidates and represents the younger generation. He is also more sympathetic to the West than Moscow's elite. Having served on the board of Russia's biggest company (Gazprom), he may also prove to be a great asset to Russia economically. Shared power? Skeptics wonder whether Medvedev will in fact defer power to Putin once he is president. Or whether shared power could lead to disorder and conflict.
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Dmitry
Medvedev graduated from Leningrad State University's
Law Department and served as chairman of Gazprom,
the largest Russian company and biggest extractor of
natural gas in the world. He was appointed deputy
prime minister 2005.