Dmitry Medvedev

Even trains stop when Medvedev arrives

Team Observers — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:17:34 +0200

Look closely at this picture. These railway tracks are in use. And yet, they've been covered with tarmac. Why? So that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev would have a smoother ride on his visit to town.

When a city in Russia is graced with the presence of an important official, there's no such thing as being over-hospitable. It was in preparation for President Medvedev's arrival in the remote city of Kirov that prompted officials to tarmac over the railway.

After all, it was the first time in 185 years — when Alexander I came — that an official had bothered to make the trip.

Besides, the tradition of whitewashing reality for high authority is a long-standing one in Russia.

It was there that the fake, dainty Potemkin houses were hastily constructed in order to keep Catherine the Great contented on her journeys down south. And it was during Soviet times in the country that town mayors painted their lawns green for important visits.

Despite all this, it still came as a surprise to the Kirov community when their own town fell victim to the tradition on May 14 this year. Governor of the region is Nikita Belych, leader of one of the strongest opposition parties, the Union of Right Forces (SPS). Liberals in the country were hoping to see the former opponent of Putin stand his ground after being appointed by President Medvedev. But following this incident, he's been given a clear "fail" grade.

Bloggers say that not only was the railway tarmacked over, but dozens of potholes were haphazardly filled in and facades of houses painted. Secret service agents called some of the residents and told them not to leave their homes during the visit.

Who knows if Medvedev was impressed by the efforts, but one thing's for sure, the general public was not.

Far from the same old opposition protest

Sophie Team Observers — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:35:50 +0100

A "Young Russia" (pro-Kremlin youth group) member. Photo: Anton Belickiy.

Why was Saturday's opposition rally in Moscow strikingly different from previous events? Because not one protestor was beaten or arrested. Even stranger - pro-Kremlin counter activists themselves were detained by the police. Which begs the question; is the Russian government warming to the idea of freedom of speech?

The protest was organised by "Solidarnost" (Solidarity), a unification of several long-existing anti-government movements. It was the same faces and slogans that took to the streets, but for once, their event had been approved by the city authorities, and instead of the protestors facing police persecution, it was their opponents who ended up in the back of a police van.

"Medvedev is the one who’s really in power"

Julien — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:29:38 +0200

The Western press reacted cynically to the inauguration of Russia's new president, Dmitry Medvedev, who has been considered a puppet of outgoing president - and now Prime Minister - Vladimir Putin since being elected in March. However, a political analyst in the country and harsh critic of the ruling party, tells us why the idea is entirely speculative.

"The West has a twisted vision of Russia"

Julien — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:42:53 +0200

Dimitri Medvedev was inaugurated as Russia's new president today. Evguenia Obitchkina, an international relations lecturer in Moscow, explains that the conflict between Russia and the West might have more to do with the hydrocarbon trade than human rights.

Vote-riggers can’t break their habit

Julien — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:13:25 +0100

Stories of ingenious election rigging in Russia are not unheard of. But in this year’s presidential election on March 2 the tales have become taller. Despite Putin’s chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev expecting an easy win, dead people still managed to rise from their graves on Sunday in order to give him an extra vote. Strange? A blogger from Moscow told us that even if their leader is sure to win, with a history of authoritarian rule, some Russians don’t know any other form of electoral success than “cheating, beating and grabbing”. A combination of grovelling campaigners and rigid habits — along with the prevailing support of the mass media — helped Medvedev sweep the polls with a landslide 70% victory. “All Russians as one man” is a Soviet idiom that has stuck fast and will die hard. And vote-riggers are even willing to set off air-raid sirens to keep it that way.

Even school children support Medvedev

Julien — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:40:05 +0100

Russian tabloid Express Gazeta organized a drawing competition all across Russia to support President Valdimir Putin's successor, Dmitry Medvedev. These drawings, published three days before the presidential election, are strangely reminiscent of personality cults from the Soviet era.

About 1000 kids participated in the contest called "draw the president." Every single drawing was about Dmitry Medvedev. These drawings have been displayed in Moscow since Feb. 26. The first contest prize : laptop. The second : a Smartphone. the third : a teddybear.

“Med erm, Medeved… Meded-deva…whatever…”

Julien — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:06:03 +0100

Questioned Tuesday about the name of Putin’s successor in a televised debate with Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton faltered to pronounce the name. “Med erm, Medeved… Meded-deva… whatever…” Russian Blogger Alexander Kireev was not impressed.