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General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: chiralSPO on 04/03/2019 19:17:26

Title: What does Russia do after Putin?
Post by: chiralSPO on 04/03/2019 19:17:26

Vladimir Putin has been the leader (de facto and official) of Russia since 1999. As I understand it, he solidified his image by dramatically improving life for Russians after Yeltsin, and he now maintains a very tight grip on Russian politics and money by keeping the wealthiest Russians (oligarchs) happy enough, keeping other aspiring politicians down, ruthlessly attacking media and opposition groups at home and abroad, and keeping the general population distracted.

But Putin (as far as I know) is mortal, and if the wikipedia page can be trusted (big IF, I know), he is only 5 years away from the expected lifetime of Russians (Putin is 66.5 years old, and life expectancy in Russia is only 71.5 years!). Of course as an ultra-wealthy and very powerful man, he probably has much longer than that, but somehow I doubt there will be more than another decade of Putin in power (his term officially ends in 2024). Having so few other major politicians, how does succession look for Russia?

Title: Re: What does Russia do after Putin?
Post by: Colin2B on 05/03/2019 08:45:36

Quote from: chiralSPO on 04/03/2019 19:17:26

Having so few other major politicians, how does succession look for Russia?

Probably follow the example of other countries where the powerful few buy and promote a politician or stand themselves. Russia never got rid of the Tzars, probably never will.

Title: Re: What does Russia do after Putin?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 06/03/2019 14:06:54

Quote from: Colin2B on 05/03/2019 08:45:36

Quote from: chiralSPO on 04/03/2019 19:17:26

Having so few other major politicians, how does succession look for Russia?

Probably follow the example of other countries where the powerful few buy and promote a politician or stand themselves. Russia never got rid of the Tzars, probably never will.

So a polititian bought from day one, rather than with some semblance of uprightness in the beginning ? That is a scary thought Colin2B.

Title: Re: What does Russia do after Putin?
Post by: alancalverd on 07/03/2019 16:58:53

Putin was never a politician before he became one. Career KGB officer and thus able to kill anyone he couldn't persuade by other means. That is how royal dynasties are created. Interestingly, the happiest countries in the world are all constitutional monarchies, so there's hope for Russia.