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Main page > Products > Politics in Russia: power, lobby, conflicts - The weekly bulletin > Politics in Russia: power, lobby, conflicts. Issue No (29) 717
Politics in Russia: power, lobby, conflicts. Issue No (29) 717
July 7 - July 13, 2008
Main political trends of the week
Despite the start of vacation season and decreased level of public politics, out of sight struggle preserved its intensity. In particular, transformation within elite alliances continued, especially among large businesses and those close to the state. Rostekhnologii’s head Sergey Chemezov and deputy PM Igor Sechin strengthened their positions. The first finally secured signing of a presidential decree on the state’s contribution to the corporation’s authorized capital, while the other demonstrated his efficient skills of an oil lobbyist. Moreover, formation of the Chemezov-Usmanov-Potanin-Vekselberg business alliance is becoming more noticeable; in the future it may become Vladimir Putin’s main support among major entrepreneurs.
In contrast to nonpublic sphere, a summer lull began on the parliamentary field. Summer vacations of the State Duma and the Federation Council reduce the amount of news and provide non-system politicians with the opportunity to broaden their presence in the media field. On the whole, the State Duma and United Russia as the actual ‘owner’ of the lower house of parliament managed to integrate themselves into the duumvirate system and to find balance between the two centers of power. In particular, parliamentarians reacted to Dmitry Medvedev’s initiatives as fast as to corresponding proposals by Vladimir Putin. At the same time United Russia, despite its status of Putin’s party, is not going to ignore the new president’s opinion, which was testified to by the fate of deputy Shlegel’s bill.
This supposition is also backed by the content of the meeting president Dmitry Medvedev had with representatives of parliamentary factions last Saturday. At this meeting the head of state said he would soon sign a plan to fight corruption and commissioned deputies to pass all necessary bills before the end of the year. Although the meeting was formal and even ritual, interaction of parliamentary leaders with the president is likely to intensify at the next session.
Contrary to deputies, some ministers are not going on vacation, according to the latest facts. In particular, defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov kept on mopping up his ministry dismissing three deputy chiefs of the General Staff. Reshuffle in the ministry is likely to continue with the vacation season being specially selected for this.
Major events July 07 - July 13, 2008
| Event | Winning side | Defeated side | Development Outlooks |
|---|---|---|---|
Dmitry Medvedev meets with leaders of parties | Dmitry Medvedev | During the autumn session a dialogue between the president and the heads of factions will become more intensive | |
Vladimir Putin declares about the necessity to liberalize access of independent producers to the country’s gas transportation system | Igor Sechin | Alexey Miller | Vladimir Putin will continue policy of supporting oil lobbyists |
Dmitry Medvedev signs decree on forming Rostekhnologii’s authorized capital | Sergey Chemezov | Chemezov’s influence is likely to keep on growing | |
| Reshuffle in the General Staff | Anatoly Serdyukov, Nikolay Makarov | Dismissals will continue; structural changes in the General Staff are possible | |
Vasily Yakemenko is appointed head of the federal agency for youth affairs | A conflict between Vasily Yakemenko and his supervisor in the sports ministry, Oleg Rozhnov, is possible | ||
Investigation Committee head Alexander Bastrykin’s interview with Argymenty i Fakty newspaper | Alexander Bastrykin | IC head will decrease the level of information activity | |
Deputy Alexander Khinshtein proposed Alexander Bastrykin to refute information that he has business in court or acknowledge this | Yury Chaika | Alexander Bastrykin | If Bastrykin accepts this proposal, a new phase of information war may cause dissatisfaction of the country’s top authorities and will result in corresponding consequences |
Iskandar Galimov is appointed head of the criminal investigation department of the interior ministry | Rashid Nurgaliyev | This appointment raises Rashid Nurgaliyev’s chances to remain minister | |
Interior minister Rashid Nurgaliyev says the Internet should be recognized as mass media | The interior minister is likely to keep on making resonant statements | ||
President’s adviser Leonid Reiman is approved as head of an inter-departmental working group for preparing introduction of new generation passport visa documents in Russia | Leonid Reiman | This appointment will only inconsiderably reestablish the official’s previous influence |
Volume: 15 pages
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National Energy Security Fund © 2007