Vlad Putin: ‘Weasel while you work’

I take my steaming blogs in Toronto, not too far from the beach and Lake Ontario (which is dirty already). 

In the spirit of politics/life being local, I probably ought to leave postings about Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Near East to those in-the-know, and those actually on-the-spot. 

Politics and life do indeed happen here, and I fully intend to take blogs on local subjects.  

But, somehow, I can’t resist: I’ve got Vlad on the mind. Let’s chalk it down to a mix of geopolitical unease and fascination. 

So, there’s this piece (below) from AP writer Douglas Birch about Pootie-Poot’s design for retaining power even after he leaves presidential office, as is constitutionally required (whatever constitutional requirements mean in Vlad’s ‘family’ circle). 

To spectators of Russian politics/history, Vlad’s probable plan to keep his claws on the wheel would come as no surprise. ‘Iron law of oligarchy,’ and all that… 

But what is astonishing is the following news service photo (below) of Vlad Putin at a recent meeting with aides, during which he allegedly discussed plans for a puppet successor, through whom he could wield power.

Putin, usually a master of the poker face, let his enthusiasm dribble all over the goddam place:

                                   

For more on this story, follow the Guardian link that tails the ‘nut graf’: 

Putin May Run Russia From the Sidelines  

Friday June 15, 2007 7:16 PM

By DOUGLAS BIRCH

Associated Press Writer MOSCOW (AP) – President Vladimir Putin is widely expected to give up office next year as dictated by the constitution. But will he give up power?

Many Russians expect Putin to run the country from the sidelines once he steps down after his second consecutive term – and there is a growing view that he’ll return to the presidency following a period of rule by a hand-picked loyalist.

READ ON… 

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