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Main page > Products > Politics in Russia: power, lobby, conflicts - The weekly bulletin > Politics in Russia: power, lobby, conflicts. Issue No (38) 779
Politics in Russia: power, lobby, conflicts. Issue No (38) 779
September 14 - 20, 2009
Main tendencies of political week
Last week Dmitry Medvedev was an absolute leader on the informational field having made several policy statements. His speech at the Yaroslavl forum coupled with his article “Go Russia!” are a manifesto of Russia’s subtle policy. It is based on the idea of rational democracy that selects instruments and mechanisms of governance from a pragmatic, not idealistic point of view. Thus, standards of modern democracy cannot be established by one subject but can be worked out in debates with participation of all interested players taking into account their experience.
Some mass media sources interpreted Dmitry Medvedev’s speech at the forum (and his article) as direct challenge to Vladimir Putin. This was characteristic of domestic liberal and practically all western newspapers. These mass media sources used interpretation of actions and statements of the Russian president to substantiate their own positions. Some mass media pursued very specific pragmatic goals. For instance, Gazeta.ru declared about its monopoly on Dmitry Medvedev’s article, which allegedly enabled it to claim to be a single ground for discussing the president’s article, although this is more appropriate to do on the website of the head of state.
Additional intrigue was introduced into the situation concerning the next presidential elections. Dmitry Medvedev’s statement that he may run for the second term in 2012 questions statements of some observers who last week made a conclusion that Vladimir Putin would come back as president in 2012. Such informational speculations emerged last week after the PM’s meeting with Valdai Club members. The president and PM will keep making obscure statements about prospects of their participation in the 2012 elections, which will enable the tandem to keep a corresponding informational line under control.
Dmitry Medvedev also made it clear that his invitation to all interested parties to participate in discussion of urgent problems was not a PR move. The president said his article “Go Russia!” was a synopsis of his state of the nation address; thus, the main policy document that sets the trend to political life for the whole political season has been proposed for discussion. Another indicative move is his instruction to the government to examine a project of Russia’s modernization proposed by a blogger. Thus, the head of state demonstrates effectiveness of the Internet as a feedback channel between state authorities and the public.
Major events September 14, 2009 - September 20, 2009
| Event | Winning side | Defeated side | Development Outlooks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dmitry Medvedev delivers a speech at the Yaroslavl forum | Dmitry Medvedev | His speech will stir active and continuous debates about system-founding parameters of Russia’s democracy | |
| Dmitry Medvedev says his article “Go Russia!” is a synopsis of the presidential address | Dmitry Medvedev | Discussion of the article and introduction of proposals will noticeably intensify | |
| Dmitry Medvedev says he may run for president in 2012 | Dmitry Medvedev | Speculations around competition between Medvedev and Putin for presidential post in 2012 will continue despite contrary statements by both tandem members | |
| Dmitry Medvedev commissions the gov’t to consider proposals suggested by a blogger | Dmitry Medvedev | The number of proposals coming to the president’s email will increase manifold | |
| In an interview with the Swiss mass media Dmitry Medvedev says United Russia has to struggle to maintain its popularity | Just Russia | United Russia | President will keep signaling to UR about the necessity to change strategy of activities and intensify serious work with the electorate |
| Meeting of Strategy 2020 Forum devoted to Dmitry Medvedev’s policy speeches | Dmitry Medvedev, UR | Discussion of policy documents will continue on other high-profile grounds | |
| Igor Yurgens says Vladimir Putin may turn into a new Brezhnev, if he runs at the 2012 elections | Igor Yurgens | Dmitry Medvedev’s environment will keep trying to apply informational pressure on PM | |
| Prosecutor General Yury Chaika proposes to introduce responsibility of enterprises’ owners for wage arrears | Yury Chaika | This initiative is long awaited and it can be fixed in a law even in case of substantial improvement of the economic situation | |
| Prosecutor General Yury Chaika proposes to introduce criminal responsibility of heads of regional court bailiff services for failing to recover wage arrears | Yury Chaika | Federal court bailiff service | This initiative has very few chances to be implemented |
Volume: 14 pages
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The research studies the strategies of the main players racing for parliament, assesses their potential, and gives a prediction of how events will be developing.«Centers of influence» in the Russian politics
The study attempts to list the main centers of influence and show their hierarchy from the standpoint of availability of resources. Special attention is drawn to formal and informal channels of interaction between elite clans, the “conflict zones,” and the clans’ methods of promoting their interests. The study also attempts to predict developments in the short- and medium-term future.Leading Russian corporations and the executive power: interaction methods
The new study analyzes the methods of interaction between the executive power and the leading Russian businesses both when they carry out «pinpoint» projects and implement strategic partnership.Forecast of political developments after the presidential election in 2008
The new study contains thorough analysis of the possible scenarios of power succession in 2008 and a forecast of how events may develop.
National Energy Security Fund © 2007