Putin sucession: Hardliner Patrušev waiting in the wings
Rumors mount of a change in leadership in the Kremlin. Health problems for the Russian president, criticized for the course of the war in Ukraine by "hawks" and "doves." Fears over the effects of Western sanctions. Patrušev, however, would be in continuity with the Putin line.
Moscow (AsiaNews) - Many sources close to the Kremlin are speaking about a possible replacement for Putin, who is grappling with increasingly obvious health problems, and would see Security Council head Nikolai Patrušev, the leader of the regime's "hawks," in his place. Three months of war in Ukraine have so far yielded no obvious results, with an increasingly impressive sequence of deaths and destruction, not to mention the consequences on the Russian economy of Western sanctions. All this would only increase the chances of a change at the top of the state.
Members of Russia's military and political elites have, after all, repeatedly changed their views on the war and the situation in the country to settle on a general pessimism, and an increasingly widespread discontent with Vladimir Putin, both in those who oppose the war and those who continue to support it. The latter accuse the Russian president of weakness, calling for a more decisive and systematic relaunch of the offensive.
Some anonymous Kremlin sources spoke to Meduza.ru correspondents, explaining that according to the hawks, "once you have started, you must have the courage to go all the way, acting without getting too much scruples." By this is meant general mobilization and war "until victory," meaning until Kiev is taken.
The problem is that mobilization would not be accepted by the majority of the population, even by those in favor of the war, according to the results of various "secret" polls circulating in high places. The ranks of the "peace party," supported by leading businessmen and civil administration officials, are also swelling.
Economic problems will begin to manifest themselves in the summer, in transportation, medicine and agriculture, and there is great fear of a total Western embargo on Russian gas and oil. The president and his closest entourage continue to disbelieve this eventuality, which is instead considered more than possible outside the "Putin bunker."
Thus a list of Putin's possible successors is beginning to spread, if not immediately, then within a year or two at most. Names are being mentioned of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobjanin, former President Dmitry Medvedev, and the deputy chairman of the presidential administration, Sergei Kirienko. The latter has been seen increasingly at the side of Putin, who has appointed him supervisor of the Donbass, and is one of the few with whom he discusses prospects for the national economy; Kirienko had been prime minister still under Yeltsyn.
The most popular candidate, however, remains Nikolai Patrušev (see photo), 70, who in recent days gave an interview to the magazine Argumenty i Fakty, declaring that "Russia in the special operation does not chase chronological terms," and if "Nazism is not eradicated 100 percent, in a few years it will raise its head again."
Patrušev also added that in Russia we need to substantially increase the production of literature and art, as well as cinema and television programs, in order to "enhance and protect the country's historical memory, education in pride in the homeland and the formation of a mature civic sense, which clearly recognizes responsibility for its development and growth in all fields...only in this way will we be able to counter the threats and challenges brought to us by the collective West, which seeks to influence the consciences of individual citizens and the entire society." Words of Putin's perfect heir.
.png)
21/06/2022 09:32
