Category Archives: Policies

Completing the vertical

The second part of Russia’s ongoing public administration reform will extend the power vertical further downwards. The bill does not only reflect a trust in the tools of digital authoritarianism, but also the goal of giving the federal center a … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, Policies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Political QR

The ongoing debate about the introduction of country-wide vaccination passes is turning into a case study of the weaknesses of Russia’s emerging digital authoritarianism and public power in general.

Posted in Policies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

No questions allowed

The expulsion of a sitting Duma deputy from United Russia for breaking party discipline has very few precedents. It may thus foreshadow the ruling party’s approach to legislating in the years leading up to 2024 and possibly also serves as … Continue reading

Posted in Kremlinology, Policies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Investing in stagnation

We haven’t seen sweeping personnel changes following Russia’s legislative election this year. But things are shifting below the surface. It seems that the authorities’ quest for stability is accelerating changes in the relationship between the federal government and the regions, … Continue reading

Posted in Policies, Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Developing interests

After a year defined by pandemic-driven policies, the government is eager to shift the focus back onto development projects, from the National Projects to the National Development Goals. The core problem is still the question of how to stimulate investment, … Continue reading

Posted in Policies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Merge, subordinate, centralize

Last year’s constitutional reform created the concept of federal territories, a new type of administrative division, and seemed to integrate municipalities into the system of administrative power. 2020 also brought the issue of regional mergers back onto the political agenda. … Continue reading

Posted in Policies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On restructuring and reconstruction

Vladimir Putin’s proposals to restructure the debt of Russian regions will likely provide regions with some much-needed fiscal relief in an election year. Putin expects governors to come up with ideas, spend on them and take responsibility for their implementation. … Continue reading

Posted in Policies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment