Putin stepping down as United Russia leader, puts forward Medvedev - Polidicks

[quote]Vladimir Putin has promised to quit as the leader of the United Russia party after his presidential inauguration on May 7 and suggested Dmitry Medvedev as his replacement. The chairman of United Russia’s Supreme Council, Boris Gryzlov told Putin that he was sure that the party congress would support Medvedev’s candidacy for the leader’s post. United Russia introduced the post of party leader in 2008. Vladimir Putin was the first and so far, the only person to hold this position. Previously the top post in the party was the Chairman of the Supreme Council, occupied by Boris Gryzlov and after 2008, Gryzlov remained the head of United Russia’s parliamentary faction and speaker of the Lower House. The party had informally announced Putin as its leader even earlier – when they used Putin’s image and a program called Putin’s Plan during the parliamentary elections in 2007. Putin’s popularity and support allowed United Russia to get over 64 percent of votes at these elections. The 2011 parliamentary poll showed a radical decline in the party’s popularity. It received slightly over 49 percent of votes, still getting the majority of seats, but losing the ability to make changes to the constitution without other factions’ support. According to Russian law, changes to the constitution can be made only with the support of two thirds of the Lower House. After the poll, the head of the party’s faction, Boris Gryzlov gave up his MP’s mandate, saying it “was not right” for him to remain in the speaker’s post for the third time in a row. Last year’s elections were marred by mass protests against alleged violations and so-called extensive use of administrative resource – pressure from state officials of high and low rank to vote for United Russia. Elections officials acknowledged some of the violations, but said they did not affect the final results and there was no need for a re-run. Before the parliamentary elections, Vladimir Putin announced the foundation of the Popular Front – a movement for people supporting United Russia’s course, but choosing not to enter the party ranks. United Russia said it would give up a quarter of its parliamentary seats to Popular Front members in exchange for support in the election. The movement has not yet been officially registered, and its program documents are still in development. Putin has never been a member of United Russia – the party says this is right in order for it to have full dialogue with other parties and political forces. Experts have explained the fall of United Russia’s popularity, saying that voters want more precise programs from political parties, not vague concepts like Putin’s Plan. The head of the Institute of Modern Development, Igor Yurgens said that United Russia is currently an assembly of people with completely different political beliefs, united only by their loyalty to Putin as future president. The expert said that the current political process requires a split between leftist and rightist members within the party. “The simultaneous presence of socialists, social democrats and billionaires from the Forbes list who skillfully defend big business and who are in essence rightist politicians is impossible for a ruling party with its need to develop and hold a single political course,” Yurgens was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.He also added that United Russia’s results in the latest poll “were not especially good” and the party understands that it must make changes. Vedomosti daily has suggested that putting Medvedev in Putin’s place as United Russia leader would allow both politicians to retain networks of reception offices throughout the country – Medvedev would get Putin’s current network, and Putin will inherit Medvedev’s network when he is sworn in as President. Besides, the article suggested that Putin would retain control over United Russia through his presidential administration even after leaving the post of official party leader. Opposition MPs said that the changes in United Russia’s leadership are not likely to change the party’s course or politics. Communist Sergey Obukhov said it does not matter for his party who is the official leader of the parliamentary majority. The politician said members expect all decisions to be taken in the presidential administration, with Putin and Medvedev simply “demonstrating a game of politics and democracy”. Maksim Rokhmistrov of the Liberal Democratic Party faction said that Medvedev taking the post of United Russia leader will not change anything in the country. United Russia is de-facto run by Putin and Medvedev together anyway, he said. However, Rokhmistrov added that it was unlikely that Medvedev will form a truly new government if he takes the post. The politician said that if Medvedev really wants changes, he should turn down the proposal.[/quote] [url=http://rt.com/politics/putin-united-russia-party-833/]Source[/url]

No fucking difference.

Would rating late be appropriate, since this already happened a zillion times?

We're not that stupid Putin, you've done this shit before.

I envisioned a badly edited succession video in which Putin symbolically passes the torch to himself in a fake mustache. Hail the new leader.

I like how, last time I was here, Facepunch was so quick to buy into Putin's propaganda bullshit has this changed? Can I say "I told you so?" And also get a refund on all those boxes you gave me when I talked about how shitty Putin is?

[QUOTE=Lankist;35701376]I like how, last time I was here, Facepunch was so quick to buy into Putin's propaganda bullshit has this changed? Can I say "I told you so?" And also get a refund on all those boxes you gave me when I talked about how shitty Putin is?[/QUOTE] I think (read: hope) all the support for Putin was done sarcastically.

we all know putin is bad and corrupt, facepunch just likes his badassness

[QUOTE=wanksta11;35701846]we all know putin is bad and corrupt, facepunch just likes his badassness[/QUOTE] He isn't even really a badass. He's a master of propaganda.

Hold this for me while I go pee.

[QUOTE=Lankist;35701376]I like how, last time I was here, Facepunch was so quick to buy into Putin's propaganda bullshit has this changed? Can I say "I told you so?" And also get a refund on all those boxes you gave me when I talked about how shitty Putin is?[/QUOTE] But you're lankist; you don't buy into anything at all.

[QUOTE=mysteryman;35701980]But you're lankist; you don't buy into anything at all.[/QUOTE] uhm yes i do its called liberty and freeodm

I love you, Lankist.

107% of Russia is heartbroken

[QUOTE=Lankist;35701376]I like how, last time I was here, Facepunch was so quick to buy into Putin's propaganda bullshit has this changed? Can I say "I told you so?" And also get a refund on all those boxes you gave me when I talked about how shitty Putin is?[/QUOTE] I was going to say how most of that was just playing along with Putins image, but then I found an old thread, and there are people actually supporting Putin among all puns and jokes: [QUOTE=Melnek;23987900]How the fuck is this propaganda. Putin is already loved in Russia when he was President, he was also asked if he wanted to stay president for a second run but he refused. He has done many great things and released a bunch of laws who were very society-friendly. Pulled out Russia out of the debris of the Soviet Union in a matter of years and just had a great all around personality. Of course every president has his flaws though, but the things he has done for Russia is just overshadowing the bad ones.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=CabooseRvB;23981268]How does the public no support Putin in the first place again?[/QUOTE] This one is the best: [QUOTE=DrBreen;23983520]i would rather think of him as inspiration for world politicians to actually make a difference in society[/QUOTE]

Putin must support him 140 percent haha but seriously he will still probably be running the show from behind the scenes

from what ive read medvedev isn't exactly like putin and doesn't put up with the corrupt assholes putin put into power

[QUOTE=thrawn2787;35702326]from what ive read medvedev isn't exactly like putin and doesn't put up with the corrupt assholes putin put into power[/QUOTE] Medvedev is just a marionette controlled by Putin. I believe he is a good guy, but he will probably end up in prison or worse if he doesn't do what Putin commands.

[QUOTE=Zambies!;35701867]He isn't even really a badass. He's a master of propaganda.[/QUOTE] [IMG]http://assets0.ordienetworks.com/images/user_photos/1162105/ritz_width_600x.jpg[/IMG] Clearly a badass.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnVwjw2Un4k[/media]

I don't really get the political system of Russia, is the president above the prime minister or is it vice versa?

[QUOTE=Epic Fortune;35704735]I don't really get the political system of Russia, is the president above the prime minister or is it vice versa?[/QUOTE] president is above the prime minister, but Medvedev seems to be Putin's bitch.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.