Putin Annoints Dmitry Medvedev

Posted on December 10th, 2007 Daniel Adams No comments  Print This Post

Putin announced on Monday that he would back the presidential candidacy of Dmitry Medvedev. His wiki profile is here, and seems to be accurate given everything I know about him.

This is definitely and interesting development. Medvedev has been the head of Gazprom  since 2002. Under his leadership Gazprom, the majority-state owned energy company, has served as one of the Kremlin’s main tools to influence the political environment in Russia. For example, the Kremlin has used the staggering resources of Gazprom to take control of NTV in 2001. NTV was the only state-independent television channel in Russia. At the time it was owned by Vladimir Gusinsky, a Russian oligarch who used the channel to challenge Putin and the Kremlin.

Is the Medvedev appointment surprising? Yes and no. Many observers expected Putin to attempt to finagle a way to stay on as president, or appoint a weak placeholder. Medvedev does not seem to be a place holder. Before all of the Putin as 3rd-term president speculation came to a head, Medvedev was considered one of the top contenders to replace Putin.

However, I think the appointment of Medvedev makes one of my personal favorite predictions for Putin’s post-presidency plans more likely – head of Gazprom. In October Putin released his personal income records that indicated a relatively penury existence as the head of a major country.  Heading Gazprom would definitely give him the opportunity to increase his personal wealth and “spend more time with his family.” From this influential position, he could continue to remain engaged in international affairs as energy contracts and deals with Russia’s neighbors remain one of the most important.

At the end of the day, I think we can look at this and realize that not much will change in Russia’s behavior, even if Putin leads. Putin wouldn’t have annointed Medvedev if he wasn’t confident that  Medvedev would continue his policies and governing style. Furthermore, the clans within the Kremlin are likely happy with this choice. As long as any conflicts remain concealed or low-intensity, then the stability of the Russian state will continue to chug along and provide them with the power and resources they want to restore Russia to her “rightful place as a major world power” and balance against the US hegemony.