Russia's New President
Not so new, actually, but rather famously recycled. And, having been instrumental in altering the country's electoral laws, he can now look forward to a projected additional dozen years in office, reigning imperiously until, let's see, how does 2024 sound? Sounds good to him. And he's the fellow who makes all the decisions.It is not in Moscow where he derived all those winning votes. And the cheering crowds were absent from the streets as his security escort whipped him through downtown Moscow for his inauguration. And grabbed the white-ribbon-wearing opposition supporters from cafes close to the Kremlin, lest they become too oppositionally boisterous.
Rather appropriate that it was held in the Kremlin's former throne room, given the circumstances of a royal crowning. Outside 20,000 people marched through Moscow shouting "No to Putin". Police arrested 120 demonstrators near the Kremlin, as a kind of insurance against potential violence marring the pomp and circumstantially celebratory event. A 30-gun salute marked the occasion, and a $1-million reception followed.
Those in attendance enjoyed sturgeon in champagne sauce, fried crab and Tsarist Ukha, a fish soup beloved of Vladimir Putin's elegant taste buds. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was present, along with the widow of Boris Yeltsin, who had personally chosen Vladimir Putin as his protege and successor. Even Mikhail Prokhorov who had mounted a presidential challenge to Putin for the March elections, was present.
Those who insist that the tainted presidential and parliamentary elections be re-run will no doubt continue their protests. Mr. Putin's re-election and the mass protests that broke out in over one hundred of the largest Russian cities may come back to haunt him. He derives most of his support from outside Moscow, from pensioners, workers and farmhands. It is the large and growing urban middle class that reviles him.
He will likely become more nationalistic than he already is. Mr. Putin will doubtless display himself as a honourable patriot, in keeping with his recent white-washing of the Soviet Union and his painting of Josef Stalin as a heroic figure, the millions of deaths he was responsible for simply an unfortunate byproduct of the revolution, in his reclamation of proud Russian history.
And such lovely news; that President Putin's first act of office was to nominate Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister. The unpredictability of such an occasion simply added to the festive occasion.
Labels: Political Realities, Russia, Traditions, Values
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, May 08, 2012
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