.Economic crisis pressures Russia's ruling tandem
MOSCOW (AP) - Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev has twice rebuked the government led by his predecessor Vladimir Putin in the past couple of weeks, raising questions of whether a rift is developing between the powerful former Kremlin leader and the man he chose to replace him.
On both occasions, Medvedev criticized the government for not doing enough to help industry and business cope with the global financial crisis, which has hit Russia hard.
"The planned measures are being fulfilled slower than we counted on and, most important, slower than the current situation demands," Medvedev said during a visit Sunday to an engine plant outside Moscow with government ministers.
Two weeks earlier, Medvedev characterized the government's anti-crisis program as "well-balanced but not ideal."
But political analysts played down the idea of a rift, saying the remarks are more a sign of the growing economic pressures. Putin remains the far more powerful figure and Medvedev is too weak to challenge him even if he wanted to, analysts said.
"A revolt by Medvedev is impossible," said Olga Kryshtanovskaya, a sociologist who studies the Russian political elite. Medvedev's televised criticism of Putin's government was meant only to reassure the population that more would be done to relieve their economic pain, she said.
"This is not an act of rebellion against Putin," Kryshtanovskaya said. "It's populism, directed at ordinary people."
Since Medvedev became president in May, he and Putin as prime minister have formed what has come to be called a ruling tandem. Medvedev, 43, usually defers to Putin, although he is showing more assertiveness as he grows into the job.
Putin left open the possibility of a return to the presidency when he stepped down after serving the two consecutive terms allowed under Russia's constitution. In his choice of Medvedev as successor, the 56-year-old Putin selected someone whose loyalty was unquestioned and who could be counted on to do his bidding.
In the months since Medvedev took over, the global financial crisis and a steep drop in oil prices have taken a toll on Russia's resource-based economy, slowing growth and sending unemployment higher. That has put Russia's leaders under tremendous pressure as they try to prevent an explosion of social protest that could threaten their rule.
If economic pressure increases further, there is a potential for tension between Medvedev and Putin, especially if they tried to pass the blame onto each other. But it is more likely the two leaders will close ranks rather than grow apart and one of Putin's deputies could take the fall if needed.
In the past, the prime minister would be forced to take the blame for failed policies, but Putin's deputies are now more suited for this role. The finance minister, who also has the rank of deputy prime minister, is already serving as a lightning rod for criticism coming from the communists.
How the two leaders deal with the crisis will affect not only Putin's legacy but perhaps his expected return to the presidency.
Under Putin's leadership, Russia's relations with the United States deteriorated and as prime minister he has tried to divert responsibility away from his government by blaming the global financial crisis on the United States.
A bitter gas dispute with Ukraine over the past few weeks has also has served as a major distraction from Russia's own economic troubles, while increasing Russians' sense of patriotism and pride.
Russia cut off natural gas supplies to Ukraine on Jan. 1 after it refused to pay higher prices and then six days later stopped sending Europe-bound gas through Ukrainian pipelines, accusing Ukraine of stealing the gas. The dispute is both commercial and political, with Russia eager to punish Western-leaning Ukraine for seeking to join NATO and the European Union.
Putin's televised order to shut off gas supplies to Europe and his appearances in the control room of the gas giant Gazprom send a message that Russia is strong.
Kryshtanovskaya, the sociologist, said Medvedev does not have the power base to challenge Putin. He has no team of his own, as the Kremlin and government are still controlled by Putin's people, she said.
In the upper levels of the bureaucracy, only 16 percent of the people were brought in by Medvedev and none are in key positions, Kryshtanovskaya said.
"I call him the president without a team," she said.
If Medvedev were to try to set his own course, Putin and his team of political heavyweights would quickly sideline him.
If the economic crisis leaves Putin feeling too vulnerable, some analysts predict he will make an early return to the safety of the presidency. A constitutional amendment adopted hastily late last year extended the presidential term from four years to six, which many saw as preparing the way for an early election.
MyWay
On both occasions, Medvedev criticized the government for not doing enough to help industry and business cope with the global financial crisis, which has hit Russia hard.
"The planned measures are being fulfilled slower than we counted on and, most important, slower than the current situation demands," Medvedev said during a visit Sunday to an engine plant outside Moscow with government ministers.
Two weeks earlier, Medvedev characterized the government's anti-crisis program as "well-balanced but not ideal."
But political analysts played down the idea of a rift, saying the remarks are more a sign of the growing economic pressures. Putin remains the far more powerful figure and Medvedev is too weak to challenge him even if he wanted to, analysts said.
"A revolt by Medvedev is impossible," said Olga Kryshtanovskaya, a sociologist who studies the Russian political elite. Medvedev's televised criticism of Putin's government was meant only to reassure the population that more would be done to relieve their economic pain, she said.
"This is not an act of rebellion against Putin," Kryshtanovskaya said. "It's populism, directed at ordinary people."
Since Medvedev became president in May, he and Putin as prime minister have formed what has come to be called a ruling tandem. Medvedev, 43, usually defers to Putin, although he is showing more assertiveness as he grows into the job.
Putin left open the possibility of a return to the presidency when he stepped down after serving the two consecutive terms allowed under Russia's constitution. In his choice of Medvedev as successor, the 56-year-old Putin selected someone whose loyalty was unquestioned and who could be counted on to do his bidding.
In the months since Medvedev took over, the global financial crisis and a steep drop in oil prices have taken a toll on Russia's resource-based economy, slowing growth and sending unemployment higher. That has put Russia's leaders under tremendous pressure as they try to prevent an explosion of social protest that could threaten their rule.
If economic pressure increases further, there is a potential for tension between Medvedev and Putin, especially if they tried to pass the blame onto each other. But it is more likely the two leaders will close ranks rather than grow apart and one of Putin's deputies could take the fall if needed.
In the past, the prime minister would be forced to take the blame for failed policies, but Putin's deputies are now more suited for this role. The finance minister, who also has the rank of deputy prime minister, is already serving as a lightning rod for criticism coming from the communists.
How the two leaders deal with the crisis will affect not only Putin's legacy but perhaps his expected return to the presidency.
Under Putin's leadership, Russia's relations with the United States deteriorated and as prime minister he has tried to divert responsibility away from his government by blaming the global financial crisis on the United States.
A bitter gas dispute with Ukraine over the past few weeks has also has served as a major distraction from Russia's own economic troubles, while increasing Russians' sense of patriotism and pride.
Russia cut off natural gas supplies to Ukraine on Jan. 1 after it refused to pay higher prices and then six days later stopped sending Europe-bound gas through Ukrainian pipelines, accusing Ukraine of stealing the gas. The dispute is both commercial and political, with Russia eager to punish Western-leaning Ukraine for seeking to join NATO and the European Union.
Putin's televised order to shut off gas supplies to Europe and his appearances in the control room of the gas giant Gazprom send a message that Russia is strong.
Kryshtanovskaya, the sociologist, said Medvedev does not have the power base to challenge Putin. He has no team of his own, as the Kremlin and government are still controlled by Putin's people, she said.
In the upper levels of the bureaucracy, only 16 percent of the people were brought in by Medvedev and none are in key positions, Kryshtanovskaya said.
"I call him the president without a team," she said.
If Medvedev were to try to set his own course, Putin and his team of political heavyweights would quickly sideline him.
If the economic crisis leaves Putin feeling too vulnerable, some analysts predict he will make an early return to the safety of the presidency. A constitutional amendment adopted hastily late last year extended the presidential term from four years to six, which many saw as preparing the way for an early election.
MyWay
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