Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Cracks Form in Putin-Medvedev Partnership

Lower-ranking politicians fired as tensions flare ahead of Russian election

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted May 9, 2011 6:22 PM CDT

(Newser) – After three years of relative harmony, cracks are emerging in Russia’s dual leadership ahead of this year’s presidential elections—and the country’s elite has “spent the whole last month on the verge of a nervous breakdown,” unsure who to support, wrote a Russian economist. Divisions became clear between PM Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev over the NATO mission in Libya, which Putin opposed; then, the two men publicly disagreed over when to announce the presidential candidate, the New York Times reports.

Now, the rift is taking a toll on other Russian politicians. The Kremlin cut ties to a longtime political consultant who argued that Putin shouldn’t seek the presidency. Meanwhile, a member of Parliament who backed Putin over Medvedev on Libya was fired from his committee position; he now says Medvedev is attempting to edge out Putin. "Some of Medvedev’s advisers consider that Medvedev, in order to win, should fire Putin from the position of prime minister,” he tells the Times.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, right, during a Victory Day parade in Moscow, on Monday May 9, 2011. (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Presidential Press Service)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

72%

12%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Medvedev Wins in a Landslide

Putin pupil has asked current prez to be PM

(NEWSER) - On par with expectations, Dmitry Medvedev has won Russia’s presidential election with 69.6% of the vote, an exit poll says. His closest rival took just 17.2%. The victory likely means little change for Russia, as Medvedev has asked current president Vladimir Putin to be his prime minister after Putin leaves office in May, Reuters reports. More»

Today's Shocker: Medvedev Approved as Russia PM

Job swap with Putin now complete

(NEWSER) - Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin completed their long-anticipated job swap today, with Russia’s parliament approving Medvedev as prime minister, as had been expected. Medvedev, who received a 299-144 vote, will serve under Putin, who was inaugurated for his third term as president yesterday and quickly nominated Medvedev as PM. More»

Putin: Why I'm Running Again

PM wants to guide Russia through 'zone of turbulence'

(NEWSER) - He announced he was running in September; four months later, Vladimir Putin is finally offering Russia an account of his reasons for seeking the presidency once again. Russia has entered a "zone of turbulence," and guess who Putin believes is the man to see it through to the other side? Yes, Putin! It's a time for gradual change, he writes in a "manifesto" published today in a daily newspaper: "A recurring problem in Russian history is the desire of a part of its elites to make leaps, to embrace revolution instead of sequential development. Not only Russian experience, but all world experience shows the fatal result of historic leaps: haste and subversion, without creation." More»

Medvedev Rips 'Provocateurs, Extremists'

President offers some reforms, but opposition says not enough

(NEWSER) - Outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev used his final state-of-the-nation address today to offer reforms in the wake of the massive protests and upheaval that have gripped the country since the Dec. 4 parliamentary elections , but he also railed against the "provocateurs and extremists" who threaten stability, reports the AP . Russia needs "democracy, not chaos," said Medvedev, warning that "we won't allow any outside interference into our domestic affairs." More»

Kremlin Tries to Calm Protesters

Medvedev writes conciliatory note on Facebook

(NEWSER) - Russian leaders are swiftly trying to ease tensions over national elections that have sparked massive demonstrations in Moscow and around Russia, the Guardian reports. "We respect the point of view of the protesters," said a rep from Prime Minister Putin's office. "We will continue to listen to them." Demonstrators are promising to return in two weeks if the Kremlin doesn't invalidate the parliamentary election, which gave Putin's United Russia party nearly 50% of the vote. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Cracks Form in Putin-Medvedev Partnership

Lower-ranking politicians fired as tensions flare ahead of Russian election

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Russia • Vladimir Putin • president • prime minister • Dmitry Medvedev • Russian elections • presidential election

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Medvedev Wins in a Landslide

Putin pupil has asked current prez to be PM

Today's Shocker: Medvedev Approved as Russia PM

Job swap with Putin now complete

Putin: Why I'm Running Again

PM wants to guide Russia through 'zone of turbulence'

Medvedev Rips 'Provocateurs, Extremists'

President offers some reforms, but opposition says not enough

Kremlin Tries to Calm Protesters

Medvedev writes conciliatory note on Facebook

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?