| The political elite discusses changes in the Kremlin Financial markets took Vladimir Putin's order to stop "speculation and hysteria" in connection with the arrest of Yukos head Mikhail Khodorkovsky and stopped in confusion yesterday. After Monday's collapse, the major stock indices recovered slightly yesterday. The RTS exchange index rose by 4.93%, and shares of Yukos itself on this site rose in price by 3.33%. Quotes of Yukos securities in the West increased by approximately the same amount. Calm was also observed on the foreign exchange market. To maintain the ruble exchange rate, the Central Bank had to sell only $100 million, compared to interventions of about $500 million the day before.
However, political life was extremely turbulent. High-ranking officials, major businessmen, politicians and journalists spent the whole day yesterday discussing rumors about serious changes in the administration of Vladimir Putin. It is alleged that the attack by the “security” wing in the Kremlin, which resulted in the arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, led to the resignation of the main opponent of the “lawlessness of the security forces” - the head of the administration, Alexander Voloshin.
According to the Vremya Novostei newspaper, Mr. Voloshin and a number of other administration employees actually wrote letters of resignation. The resignations (at least as of yesterday evening) have not been accepted by the president, and so far the administration is working as usual: meetings are underway, preparations are underway for various trips of the president, for elections. Nevertheless, the “word” in the form of statements of resignation has been spoken and one or another decision is required from Vladimir Putin. Most likely, the situation will be resolved in the coming days. This information from the Vremya Novostei newspaper did not receive any official confirmation or refutation yesterday. And unofficially, high-ranking Kremlin officials refused to discuss this topic. The explanation for this “conspiracy of silence” is most likely simple. First, everyone understands how serious the situation is and how serious the decision the president must make. For some, the departure of Alexander Voloshin from his current position is the end of a political era, for others it is actually a fundamental adjustment of the political course. And, secondly, it is not yet obvious what Vladimir Putin’s decision might be. Although candidates for the new leaders of his administration are already being discussed. Among them are the first deputy head of Russian Railways, Vladimir Yakunin, and the first deputy of Alexander Voloshin, Vladislav Surkov.
Apparently, it would be a mistake to assume that Mr. Voloshin, by his resignation, is protecting Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his business: the oligarch’s political activities are opposed by all inhabitants of the Kremlin, without exception. The reason lies in disagreement with the methods by which the “siloviki” are trying to stop this political activity.
These methods also raise questions in the West, to which Vladimir Putin can hardly categorically recommend that they stop “speculation and hysteria.” US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said yesterday that Washington is concerned about the possibility of “selective application of the law” in Russia. And EU Commissioner for International Affairs Chris Patten promised that the issue of Yukos would be raised at the Russia-EU Rome summit: “I will be extremely surprised if the issue of Yukos does not arise during our discussions next week in Rome. "I think the market movement is a demonstration of the concern that many people have about this case." Ivan Gordeev |
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