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Putin vs Medvedev: Who’s next?

Paul Koshik - 3/30/2011

In 2012 new presidential elections will be held in Russia. No one doubts the fact that Medvedev and Putin belong to one political group. Also, there is no doubt that it is for them to decide who will become a candidate for the president of the Russian Federation. While this issue hasn’t been settled yet, Putin and Medvedev apparently decided to follow the American model – both of them are going to launch the election campaign from the same political party and according to the results of public-opinion polls determine who is more available and, thus, who will represent the party on the elections. Let us have a look on the steps both of the candidates take during their election campaigns.


Dmitry Medvedev

1. Russian Nationalism

On the 1st of November Medvedev arrived to Kunashir Island, the southernmost island of the Kuril Islands, having become the first among Russian leaders who personally visited the disputed territories which constantly become a cause for diplomatic problems between Russia and Japan.
The essence of this move: The easiest way to unite Russians and make them forget about domestic problems is to find the enemy from without and slam fist on the table with the exclamation “"No one foot of our land will be given to the enemy."

2. Display of Power

On the 10th of February Medvedev came unexpectedly to one of Moscow central railway terminals - The Kiyevsky Rail Terminal. In the attempt to find at least one police officer he walked from the main entrance to platforms. Having found no one he gave a good dressing down for the head of the Russian Railways, police and the Federal Security Service.

The essence of this move: Russian people have a stereotype that has been living in them from the times of Russian Empire – “The tsar is always good, it is all inferiors’ fault”. That is why the second easiest and effective way to improve your political reputation is to scold your inferiors as loud and noticeable as possible. And it seems that nobody wants to acknowledge the fact that it is the president who is to blame for poor professionalism of the executive personnel.

3. Seeming Cosmopolitism:

On the 11th of February Medvedev was present at the State Council meeting that was held in Ufa to discuss the issues of the international accord strengthening. He announced that the formation of a single Russian nation is needed and advised mass media to forget about the nationality of criminals and suggested not using extremist vocabulary.

The essence of this move: A policy of evident nationalism and Russian dominance over other nations living on the country’s territory has been conducted in Russia very long ago. A bright example is nationalistic actions on Manezhnaya Square on the 11th of December in 2010. All this policy is evidently stemmed from the top authorities – from the President himself and his party “United Russia”. However, in outward appearance Medvedev wants to look a progressive European politician, that is why during various press-conferences he emphasizes his liberalism and cosmopolitism.


Vladimir Putin

1. Sports

On the 21st of December Putin did some exercises with Russia wrestling, judo and sambo teams.
Citation: “Here we have full International – the Georgians, the Abkhazians, the Ossets, people from Siberia, St. Petersburg, Smolensk. All of them are working together for the single aim, as a matter of fact, for the sake of Russia’s interests”.

The essence of this move: Vladimir Putin has always been the politician who lays special stress on his personal charisma. That’s why he is constantly flying on fighter aircraft or fishing topless and showing pressmen his brawny torso. The appearance on the tatami is Putin’s favourite trick, that he used dozens of times. Meanwhile he also didn’t miss the opportunity to put in a word about cosmopolitism.

2. The New Year’s PR

On the 31st of December having found out that several thousand people in Moscow area were left without the electric light because of the icy rain, Putin sent the governor of the Moscow Region, Boris Gromov, and the Minister of Energy, Sergey Shmatko, to welcome in The New Year together with those people.

The essence of this move: Once again - power display. But this display of power was strengthened by the fact that The New Year is the number one national holiday in Russia. It should be mentioned that the communication lines broken by bad weather were restored only two weeks later after the accident. But no one was interested in that – Putin has gained his political points, whereas the real situation in the country doesn’t worry him too much.

3. A Bit of Romance

On the 10th of December Putin visited charity evening in St. Petersburg. He amazed the audience by performing Louis Armstrong’s song «Blueberry Hill» in English.

The essence of this move:
Vladimir Putin is a great master of combining political ploys (here is also his charisma) and charity – all the money was given to the aid of children with oncological diseases. Even a choice of the song was non-random – it may be considered as a nod towards the West.

From the viewpoint of popularity among people Putin has considerably more chances to get the Presidential post. Mostly no one among Russians take Medvedev seriously considering him a right-hand man to Putin. However, it is possible that Putin will refuse to run as a candidate at all – perhaps it suits him great to be the Gray Eminence – a real governor of the country with the formal President Medvedev.