And So It Ends
February 24th, 2004 - 11:44 am
Vladimir Putin’s personal autocracy is now complete:
In a bold step that removed a last major holdover from the days of Boris Yeltsin, President Vladimir Putin dismissed his prime minister and all other Cabinet ministers Tuesday, saying he reshuffled the government in preparation for next month’s presidential vote.
Putin said the ouster of Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov was designed to put his next government in place in advance of the March 14 balloting.
With virtually no political opposition, Putin was widely expected win a second term, and his comments Tuesday showed his confidence.
Next month’s balloting will be less of an election than a coronation.
Thats what I first thought when I glanced at the story. But note that Putin’s reason for sacking the Prime Minister (supported by the facts) is that the PM was anti-reform. Turns out to sack the PM he has to dissolve the govt and start over.
So to be honest, it seems like it might paradoxically be a good move. Hope I’m right.
Oh man…what the hell happened to the end of history?…not another nail in the coffin of that incredibly stupid meme…what a shame.
That’s history for ya, always interrupting the cocktail hour…
Maybe KGB, Putin’s alma mater, stands for kill good boozing…
What’s the difference between Putin and the Mass. Supreme Court telling the legislature what laws need to be passed? You already know the answer.