Tag Archives: economy

On regional finances, political power in Khakassia and more

While the war continues to be the focus of the federal budget, a look at how regional fiscal incomes have changed in 2024 suggests that regional budgets are also facing increasingly tighter times. I am also taking a closer look … Continue reading

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On 2025 in Russian politics

A couple of thoughts on the past and the upcoming year in Russian politics: the Kremlin’s core challenges and what specific areas I will be watching this year.

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On the “new elite”, railway troubles and others

Russian regional officials are still appointing war participants to various positions, mostly to signal loyalty to the Kremlin, but some of the more recent appointment may represent a slight an potentially consequential shifting of gears. Meanwhile, Russian Railways will be … Continue reading

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On the municipal reform, investment plans and others

Why is the Russian government planning to drag out the implementation of an upcoming reform of municipal self-governance? And does it matter? And why is it difficult to take the Kremlin’s infrastructure development plans at face value? Below I am … Continue reading

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On appointments of war participants, the Far East and others

In this dispatch, I would like to dive into two recent developments that highlight that even in today’s Russia, Putin has to operate with certain constraints, such as vested interests or the laws of economics.

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On digital draft notices, the Russian opposition and others

What does the introduction of digital draft notices say about Russia’s emerging digital authoritarianism? And what do and should we – in the West – expect of the Russian opposition? In a look-back on some of the significant developments and … Continue reading

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On regional elections, Far Eastern development and others

Looking back on the past couple of weeks in Russian politics, I summarize what is worth watching as Russia prepares for another set of (likely heavily rigged) regional and local elections in September and what these regions may tell us … Continue reading

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