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| Russian Federation Prime Minister Vladimir Putin |
Source: The Australian Sunday Times
RUSSIAN Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has decided to run for the presidency next year, raising the possibility of a power struggle with his protege, Dmitry Medvedev, the incumbent Kremlin leader, say highly placed sources.
The once-close relationship between Mr. Putin, the tough-talking former KGB officer who has inspired a personality cult, and Mr. Medvedev, a softly spoken Twitter enthusiast, has become increasingly fractious amid speculation in Moscow that the younger man wishes to stand again.
Insiders familiar with both leaders said Mr. Putin, who served eight years as president before becoming Prime Minister three years ago, had begun to lose confidence in Mr. Medvedev's loyalty.
Under the (Russian) constitution, Mr. Putin's move to reclaim the presidency could see him rule for two consecutive six-year terms until 2024, when he will be 72. If so, he would have served as prime minister or president for 24 years in all.
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| Current Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, with Vladimir Putin |
The sources said recent criticism by Mr. Medvedev had made Mr. Putin suspicious.
"Putin will run for president. He's made up his mind for good. Rumours that he's still weighing his options are false," said one source.
"There's mounting tension between Medvedev and Putin. The view in Putin's camp is that Medvedev has started behaving with too much arrogance and wants to challenge him. Putin is starting to doubt his loyalty."
The Russian constitution allows the president to serve no more than two consecutive terms. Mr. Putin stepped down in 2008 and handed the reins to Medvedev, on the tacit understanding that he could come back next year if he wished.
At first, Mr. Medvedev was regarded as a puppet. He even took to imitating Mr. Putin's distinctive macho stride and speaking style. But three years later, Mr. Medvedev, who at 45 is still Russia's youngest leader in more than seven decades, is understood to be reluctant to step aside for Mr. Putin.
The President is said to be frustrated at the perception, both at home and abroad, that he is a lame duck. A second term would give him the power to pursue a more liberal agenda of greater political freedom and sweeping judicial reforms, in contrast to that of Mr. Putin, who is viewed as authoritarian.
"Both Putin and Medvedev see themselves as the next Russian president," said another Kremlin source.
"Given that the former brought the latter to power, that's a problem.
"It's the classic tale of the pupil trying to overtake his master. Putin's camp thinks Medvedev is getting too cocky, while the President and his people say it's time for the old man to retire."
REALITY CHECK:
The "old man" is not at all too old, but is the younger man in question really qualifed? Well, Mr. Medvedev is certainly a thousand times more qualified than the shameless, communist-organizer, military hater and creator of the highest debt burden in the history of the United States - in only 18 months time - that would be Mr. BHO, the current occupant of the White House.
We would gladly trade Mr. Obama for Mr. Medvedev anytime our Russian friend Mr. Putin is feeling generous, or a little drunk, perhaps - just give us a call, Vlad, and we'll work out the details and do the swap very quickly. :)
So, to continue the previous thought - are either of these men truly the best choice for the top Russian leadership position, at this critical time in world history?
Only the Russian people can tell us how that part is going to shake out.
The Glee Club
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| Same circus, different clowns... |
In a comment seen as a veiled attack on Mr. Putin, Mr. Medvedev said last week:
"A person who thinks he can stay in power indefinitely is a danger to society. Russian history shows that monopolising power leads to stagnation or civil war."
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| Anyone who can tell me who this creepy golden face represents will get a nice prize. |
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| We already know who this guy with Medvedev is - "Mr. Babylon" himself - perhaps the real power behind the throne, both symbolically and literally. |
In the past, Mr. Medvedev, a Led Zeppelin fan and iPad devotee who speaks fluent English, has been careful to avoid open criticism of Mr. Putin, but they have clashed recently.
"Make no mistake, Medvedev is an impressive leader who would be good news for Russia if he stays on," said a Kremlin source. "There's rivalry with Putin but they're both too smart to get drawn into a nasty personal conflict.
"The difference is simple: Putin can ask Medvedev to step aside. No matter how reluctantly, he'll oblige. But Medvedev can't stop Putin from coming back. And Putin wants to be president again."
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Only time will tell what will become of this power struggle in the modern day Russian Federation.
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