euro|topics - Putin is preparing his succession

14/10/2008

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Main focus of Thursday, September 13, 2007

Putin is preparing his succession

Six months away from the presidential elections, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has made a surprise change of prime minister following the resignation of Mikhaïl Fradkov's government on Wednesday, September 12th. While commentators were expecting the nomination of Sergueï Ivanov, vice-prime minister, who hitherto appeared to be the president's heir, it is Viktor Zoubkov, an unknown technocrat, who has been chosen. This decision has revived speculation concerning post-Putin Russia.

The Daily Telegraph - United Kingdom

"Although unknown to the Russian public, let alone overseas, the 65-year-old Mr Zubkov is regarded as Mr Putin's mentor from the time when they both worked in the St Petersburg mayoral office in the 1990s", notes the daily. "The rise of Mr Zubkov from obscurity inevitably recalls Boris Yeltsin's elevation of Mr Putin as prime minister and his chosen successor in 1999.That comparison carries a warning. Having gained supreme authority in 2000, Mr Putin then proceeded systematically to undo Mr Yeltsin's legacy, turning Russia into a more efficient, less liberal state.The present incumbent no doubt hopes to wield influence from behind the scenes after he leaves office next year. But he could well find that Mr Zubkov, or another figure he may yet pull from the hat, will become his own man once his hands are on the immense powers of patronage enjoyed by the head of state. That is what makes the transition period so fascinating." (13/09/2007)

Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany

"Putin is obviously fond of presenting the world with enigmas," Frank Nienhuysen writes. "Just when everyone was convinced he would position his favourite Sergei Ivanov as top candidate for the presidential elections, he has conjured up a little-known financial expert called Viktor Zubkov instead... It's impossible to discern a transparent democracy in all this - this is the bitter realisation we must come to in view of Putin's obscure personnel policy just six months before the elections. The Russian people have adopted a stoic stance to the change. They don't expect to be offered a genuine alternative to an authoritarian government system anyway." (13/09/2007)

Postimees - Estonia

The Estonian daily says it was not surprised by the resignation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov because Putin will have to announce who he wants as his successor at latest this autumn. "Putin always follows the same pattern when appointing someone to this important post: first he names someone as prime minister, then that person becomes deputy president and the nation knows whom it must elect. But what no one could foresee was the appointment of little-known Viktor Zubkov as new prime minister - rather than Putin's favourite, Ivanov. However, this doesn't necessarily affect the latter's ambitions to the throne because unlike in democratic states, Putin doesn't react to the public mood or elections when appointing politicians." (13/09/2007)

Courrier International - France

"Like any good populist - or like any contemporary politician -, Vladamir Putin combines PR with politics. He does not hesitate to wrongfoot the entire Russian establishment and its western peers", stresses Philippe Thureau-Dangin, chief editor of the weekly. "It is nonetheless interesting to see that Russia, considered moribund ten years ago, now succeeding to appear a strategic rival of the United States. An ideological one too, since it is boldly proclaiming its 'slavophile' values set against all westernisers, whether within Russia or elsewhere. This is where globalisation reaches its limits." (13/09/2007)

» To the complete press review of Thursday, September 13, 2007

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