Since he has been elected in 2000, Vladimir Putin has been trying to strengthen the government authorities in many different political issues: crime and corruption, intellectual property, tax system reform.

Dmitry Medvedev is the Russian President since March 2008, but former President Vladimir Putin remains prime minister and the real leader of the country.

 

Origins of “managed democracy”

Russia's long history has been marked far more by authoritarian rule than by popular participation. Many of the characteristic of democratic systems have been weak or non-existent in recent memory.

People protesting against the Communist Party, Moscow, 1990.

 

Today, democracy is, in theory, Russia's system of government. However, the actions of the on-going Russian President Vladimir Putin indicate a growing disregard for the most basic democratic principals.

 

The Russian President

 

Vladimir Putin’s actions indicate a growing disrespect for the basic democratic rules. Using his strong-arm tactics, the President continues to reject the warnings received from the West.

Recently, the President said in a nationally televised speech that "...the break-up of the Soviet Union is a national tragedy on an enormous scale.”

 

Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, 2000 - 2008.

Related articles

The Russian political and legal environment

 

To go further

parties-and-elections.eu... - Political parties in Russia

aceproject.org - All about elections in Russia