How did putin ensure that he remained at the centre of political power in russia after stepping down as president in 2008

Politics in Russia Pied 2440

“How did Putin ensure that he remained at the centre of political power in Russia after stepping down as President in 2008?”

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Seminar Tutor: Alexander Titov

Despite stepping down as President in 2008, Putin has remained a prominent, significant and powerful figure in Russian Politics from his appointed role as Prime Minster. Endorsed by broadening his Prime Ministerial powers, in addition to having many loyalists within the Presidential administration, it appears that Putin still runs the ‘show’ (Wikileaks 2010) in Russia. This essay will address and explain Putin’s governance and sequential popularity during his terms in office, which have contributed to his centrality in Russian politics for the present and foreseeable future. Following the Yeltsin legacy, which had left the country in a ruinous state (Huskey, 2001 p. 83) Putin acted as a strong leader, managing Russia towards economic and political stability (Huskey 2001 p.83)). Putin reformed and revolutionised Russian politics by: centralising government; reforming the judicial system; changing legislation; cowing in oligarchs; gaining media control and infinitely improving Russian foreign relations, from Chechnya to The West (Lo 2003 p.3). Despite certain aspects of Putin’s governance being questionably ‘undemocratic’ (Uhlin 2006), he has been labelled as one of Russia’s most popular Presidents (Lo 2003 p.2). Vladimir Putin surprised everyone by appearing out of political obscurity to democratically elected Presidency within the space of a year (Huskey 2001 p.82; Rutland 2000 p.1); as a result of a heavy media campaign, and an excellently timed exit on Yeltsin’s behalf (Huskey 2001 p.82) – amongst other factors. He progressed from the head of Federal Security Service, to Prime Minister, to acting President to President of ‘the people’s choice’ (White & McAllistar 2003 p. 383). Putin has since become known as one of the most influential bodies in