And they say the czars are dead
People applaud after Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's speech at the United Russia party's congress in Moscow (Sept. 24, 2011). Credit: AP
It's not shocking that Vladimir V. Putin will become president of Russia again next year. But it is depressing.
Putin never really let go of power, after all, even when the national constitution required him to step down after two terms in 2008, when Dmitri A. Medvedev took office.
Now Putin has named himself to succeed Medvedev. Putin is popular -- the election in March will be a formality -- even though he revealed himself last time around to be a pugnacious dictator all too eager to undermine Russia's fragile legal system while trampling freedom of the press. After his departure, relations with the United States warmed; the two nations last year signed a new START treaty cutting nuclear arms, and Russia joined the United States in criticizing Iran's nuclear program. At home, some Russian liberals began to hope that things would get better. That's now highly doubtful.
On the other hand, it's not so clear that things will get much worse. Since Putin never relinquished power, it follows that he must have favored the improved relations with Washington that occurred under Medvedev. And Putin knows Russian oil production will level off eventually. Indeed, in coming years Russia will depend more on imported goods and foreign investment.
That will require respect for the rule of law and, ultimately, openness to new ideas. If only Russia were open to the idea of a new -- and different -- leader.
