PUTIN’S NEW RUSSIA
By A. Manvelian, translated by A.M.
AZG Armenian Daily #223
04/12/2007
View from Armenia
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putting, throughout
the eight-year term of his presidency, remained an unpredictable and
mysterious political figure for both Russian and foreign analyzers. All
the forecasts and theories about the policy of Vladimir Putin, which
occurred during the years, have proved inconsistent one by one. Putin
performed actions, which were unexpected and hard to understand for
the West. Last of those actions was leading the "Unite Russia" party
on the 2007 parliamentary elections.
Thus, the elections have taken place and that can be considered a
crucial historical event, as Putin’s "Unite Russia" party won the
overwhelming majority of the votes. According to the preliminary
results, published by the Central Electoral Committee (the final
results are to be published on December 7 or 8), "Unite Russia"
gained 64,1%, the Communist Party – 11,6%, the Liberal-Democrat party
– 8,2%, and "Just Russia" party – 7,8%. The rest of the participant
partiec did not overcome the 7% barrier.
However, it is clear, that the majority of the Russian citizens’
votes was given rather to Vladimir Putin, that the party itself. The
parliamentary elections can be also taken for a kind of "referendum",
which proved that the population of the Russian Federation for the
most part supports the President and his "new national program".
The elections showed that Putin, due to the support of the population,
is most likely to prove able of bringing to life his program of
strengthening Russia and restoring its place among the greatest and
mightiest states of the world. To be noted, Russia is one of the
political players that cannot remain on the backstage, as otherwise
Russia may lose the whole political sovereignty and repeat the fate
of the Soviet Union.
This notion is well realized by Putin’s government, and that is why
it is so unpopular in the West, unlike the Government of Putin’s
predecessor, Boris Yeltsin.
The West, in its turn, perfectly realize that in case of the success of
Putin’s programs, they will have to restore the historical tradition of
taking into account the position of the Kremlin in all their actions.
At present the plans of President Putin and the scenarios of political
developments in Russia seem more or less clear. The only mystery that
still remains is the question Putin’s successor. It is quite possible
that none of the political figures, now considered top candidates
(Prime Minister Zubkov, Vice-Prime Ministers Ivanov and Medvediev),
shall be suggested by Putin as his successor.
The victory of Putin’s party may cause different attitudes and
comments in different regions of the world. However, Armenia must
consider beneficial the strengthening of its strategic partner. Having
a powerful and predictable neighbor at side is in the interests of
any state.