Will Putin Ever Retire?
By David Aikman
When will he ever retire?
Vladimir Putin by next March will have completed two terms as Russia's elected president. He's constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term--but this won't stop him from continuing to rule Russia.
At a gathering of almost fawning supporters of his political party--Unified Russia--Putin announced he'd be standing for the Russian parliament and would be available to become prime minister. That is, in his words, if "a decent, capable, efficient, modern person" be elected president. Translation: if Putin chooses the presidential candidate and that man wins, then he will gracefully accept the prime minister's slot.
If this should happen, count on the hapless president retreating to figurehead status. An energetic Prime Minister Putin would leave no one in doubt, at home or abroad, where real power lay.
When will he ever retire?
Vladimir Putin by next March will have completed two terms as Russia's elected president. He's constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term--but this won't stop him from continuing to rule Russia.
At a gathering of almost fawning supporters of his political party--Unified Russia--Putin announced he'd be standing for the Russian parliament and would be available to become prime minister. That is, in his words, if "a decent, capable, efficient, modern person" be elected president. Translation: if Putin chooses the presidential candidate and that man wins, then he will gracefully accept the prime minister's slot.
If this should happen, count on the hapless president retreating to figurehead status. An energetic Prime Minister Putin would leave no one in doubt, at home or abroad, where real power lay.
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posted by HeavyHanded at
9:56 AM
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