The first of the laggards

Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin was recognized as the best finance minister of the year among developing countries in Europe according to the British newspaper Emerging Markets. Every year, the publication awards the top 5 finance ministers and top 5 central bank governors for their contributions to the development of emerging market economies. The title is honorable for an official, but pleasant for the nation. But the ceremony and presentation of the prize will do little good to the proud compatriots of the successful minister.