Surprise, Surprise: He's Not Going Anywhere
Filed under: Russia
So now it's official. Russian "President" Vladimir Putin will not give up power. He will clutch it to his breast until he breathes his pathetic last, just like every other ruler of Russia (except Boris Yeltsin) has always done. He will remain ruler of Russia, merely exchanging the title "president" for the title "prime minister" and retaining all the aspects of power while technically obeying, and simultaneously defiling, the constitution. Or maybe you think Russia's next president will be able to fire Putin if he decides he doesn't like him? Putin will transform the nature of national power by personal decree and for his own convenience, just as he has done by summarily abolishing the election of governors at the local level and appointing them instead. Hey, presto, the presidency is now the prime ministry, the real power, and vice versa. The presidency becomes a figurehead. Once more, the malignant little troll spits his poison on the withered soul of Russian democracy.
This might be great news! If Putin were willing to stand down, it would mean he believes the country can be controlled and manipulated without his physical presence in the formal corridors of power, and that would imply his grip on the nation is perhaps unbreakable. But he's worried! He's scared to step aside, so he's just moving some chairs around. This means he's vulnerable, and the chance for democratic reform persists.
Of course, it could simply mean he's a greedy megalomaniac who can't surrender power no matter how insignificantly and no matter how firm his proxy's grip on the nation's throat might be, who will destroy Russia with his monstrous lust for power just as every other ruler of that benighted land has done (except Boris Yeltsin). And it certainly does not mean we will see courageous action by the people of Russia to pull their nation back from the brink of destruction even if he is vulnerable, and courageous action is necessary to confront the whims of an autocrat.
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