Happy Putin!

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by VJ
Surely that must be an easy promise to make, for the entire definition of a dictator rests on the presupposition that Putin won't step down after ruling the country for two terms under the rules of a democratic constitution.

I think it depends on whether or not he could remain in power if he wanted to.

[Zoid]

Nik, you think Putin is less corrupt than Jeltsin?

[Nikolai]

He is corrupt in another way. I think it depends on your definition. Anyway, I'd rather have a corrupt guy with control over things than a corrupt drunk who have absolutely no control and drives his country right into chaos. Especially when the country in question has nuclear weapons...

[Zoid]

But the corrupt guy in control is more dangerous than the corrupt alcoholic without IMO. At least people knew Jeltsin was a loonie. It's like under communism. Then the people knew the government lied and that they shouldn't trust the stuff in Pravda. No it's more of a grey area...

[Nikolai]

In Russia, a guy without control is exteremely dangerous. He has no control over anything, that also means no control over the red button or anything.

[Zoid]

True, but the people see clearly that he has no control and can do something about it. Sadly they elected Putin...

[Nikolai]

Yes, but Putin has made it so clear that he won't change the constitution to sit longer, so if he doesn't do anything smart soon, a new man will sit in office soon. Unfortunately, that new man will quite surely be Putin's man, since Putin has effectively destroyed all competition... One can only hope that his puppet gets free from his influence. And I doubt anyone in Putin's group is nearly as skilled as him anyway, so I see some hope.

[Solver]

The independent Russian Internet media writes quite clearly that there will not be an elected President in 2008 - they call him the appointed President. There are two real candidates right now, and Putin will make it very clear whom he wants to win the next election. Plus he probably will stay in politics (such as controlling the largest party), and he hasn't ruled out returning for a third term afterwards (the Russian constitution has a limit of two consecutive terms, not two terms).

[VetLegion]

Who are the the two candidates?

I read Putin is going to be president of Gazprom after his second term.

[Solver]

Ivanov and Medvedev. Ivanov was up until very recently their defense minister, he's extremely supportive of Putin (was deputy director of the FSB when Putin was the director) and is strongly anti-Western.

[LordShiva]

Stop this threadjacking, all of you!

[Provost Harrison]

The opposition will be dining on polonium sushi long before the elections

[Sava]

mmmm sushi

[Provost Harrison]

I presume you'd rather skip on the polonium part though?

[Sava]

Bah... the way I'm feeling lately, it would be a blessing.