In the Kremlin

"Legend" for the liberal premier

May 22, 2013 Alexander Ryklin

The intrigue with the possible quick premiere of the closest ally of Vladimir Putin and the former, in fact, the Minister of Finance of the entire Putin era, Alexei Kudrin, is not exhausted exclusively by economic factors, at which colleague Maxim Blant stopped in his last article on the pages of Hedgehog. I will even suggest that they, these same economic factors, in this case play a secondary role.

Today, the situation in Russia (and around Russia) develops in such a way that Kudrin’s arrival in a high position could help Putin solve a huge number of purely political problems. If they still excite him to some extent (this reservation is not accidental, and we will return to it again).

So, what kind of service could Putin maneuver with the appointment of Kudrin as head of government? If we consider the foreign policy aspect of such a personnel decision, then it would undoubtedly be perceived in the West with great enthusiasm and, I would say a relief. The Western political world, which, under the pressure of the public opinion there, has recently been forced to get into a certain pose in relation to the Kremlin (a list of Magnitsky, for example), would perceive such an appointment as a step towards - Alexei Kudrin enjoys great authority and trust in the West. This would give the Western leaders the possibility of and further cooperate with Putin, continuing to ignore the “some costs in the development of the democratic process in Russia and the accuracy of the Russian elections” ... Kudrin would have outweighed everything. For some time, of course. However, it may be quite long.

As for the reaction within the country to the return of Alexei Kudrin to power (and one of the key positions), then she could serve to some extent to serve the work of stabilization of the regime and make a certain split into the political and public opposition environment. Kudrin is perceived by many Russian citizens, first of all, as a person of sustainable liberal views, which, by Russian tradition, implies commitment to reformation. The fact that he is a faithful Putinets somehow fades into the background. And it is not by chance that Alexei Leonidovich has recently positioned himself as an opponent to the current course - he criticizes the government, is not afraid to enter into a verbal skirmish with the leaders of United Russia, speaks of the need to diversify the economy, etc.

There is no doubt that it was these arguments that formed the basis of a powerful lobbying attack, the purpose of which is to convince Vladimir Putin of correctness and, I would even say, the non -alternativeness of such a decision. Old time, time -tested forces entered into battle. Namely, the "family". The fact that Alexander Voloshin is still a powerful (how much this term is applied to current Russian realities) a state dignitary has recently been doubtful. It seemed that Putin had already had a bite of this umbilical cord and nothing else connects him with the past. Many observers and analysts adhered to the point of view that the hardware defeat of the so -called system liberals took place and they can no longer return the lost positions. Moreover, some of them (including your humble servant) suggested that a distinct power trend in Russian domestic politics could lead to certain repressions against those who, for many years, served the regime for many years, forged its corruption power. And by the way, I still do not exclude that such a scenario can be implemented.

From my point of view, for the “family” (Voloshin, Chubais, Tanya-Val), a project called “Lesha-Our Prime Minister” is the last chance to save his honorable place near the throne of the Supreme Ruler and access to a crowned ear. And the emissaries from Alexander Stalievich will run around opposition leaders with a simple appeal: no, guys, to wet Alexei Leonidovich! He is our liberal guy! With his arrival, the reform will not be long in coming. You just have to give him a little time. And public commissions will be created to promote various important initiatives, they will include, among other things, people from the opposition, they will be given a word ... Expert advice will bloom with a lush color at ... and other marvelous structures. Well, budgets will appear, of course. And of course, they will drink, as usual ...

All this fuss will in no way affect the real state of affairs in Russia. Actually, this product Voloshin and today is trying to sell Putin, while whispering that all this is a pink, that Alexei Leonidovich himself is well aware of this fact and will behave correctly. Therefore, our friends and partners from the power block may not worry about this. No one will encroach on their prerogatives. There is enough for us and our small share. The model is simple: Kudrin is an ideal liberal screen that can temporarily (and the time factor is extremely important today) to discharge the situation at least outside, at least inside. And plug the pharynx of the hollow on both sides of the border.

Now the key question is: is Putin, in principle, are such combinations still interesting? Or the steam locomotive is already rushing forward along the rails, from which not to turn. I think by the beginning of autumn we will receive an answer to it.

Photo by ITAR-TASS/ Alexander Sverkin