Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 5, 2008 8:37:10 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

Back to the grid

Gorbachev: Russia Needs Real Democracy

Posted Mar 5, 08 2:21 PM CST in World    Editor's Choice

(Newser) – Mikhail Gorbachev is pushing Russia's leaders to change their ways. Writing today for the Times of London, Gorbachev praises Vladimir Putin’s accomplishments as president, and acknowledges the soon-to-be prime minister's popularity. But Russia still faces big problems, which “can only be solved in an environment of real democracy.” The system needs to be reformed and “not just by tinkering.”

Gorbachev takes a measured tone. “I am not calling for a ‘kick the bastards out’ campaign,” he writes. But he rejects naysayers who believe Russia needs a “firm hand.” “Our people are more democratic than you think,” he says. “They will make the right choices.” Tackling foreign policy, he said Russia should change, but the West should lay off “anti-Russian stereotypes.”

Source Times (UK)

Editor Recommended

Related News

  • Honeymoon Can't Last for Russia's Power Couple

    May 17, 08 3:01 PM CDT
    Honeymoon Can't Last for Russia's Power Couple It may look like Vladimir Putin has kept Russia stable by sliding into the PM's chair; optimists even predict he'll share power politely with President Medvedev. But these lovebirds are actually destined to fight, writes Ivan Krastev in the Wall Street Journal: Eventually Medvedev will want to exercise power, and not as Putin’s “mini-me.” More »

  • Russia Parades Its Might, With Soviet Echoes

    May 9, 08 1:46 PM CDT
    Russia Parades Its Might, With Soviet Echoes Russia marked the 63rd anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany today with a parade of Soviet-era of tanks, missile launchers, and columns of foot soldiers, the New York Times reports. President-turned-prime-minister Vladimir Putin and his successor, Dmitry Medvedev, looked on, surrounded by the contrast of communist ritual with symbols of modern Russia's cut-throat capitalism. More »

  • Medvedev Becomes President of Russia

    May 7, 08 5:44 AM CDT
    Medvedev Becomes President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev today became the third president of Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union. But as the 42-year-old arrives at the Kremlin, most Russians believe Vladimir Putin, who becomes PM tomorrow, will continue to wield power. The Times of London looks at Russia's new leadership, asking whether Medvedev and Putin are a two-man team or a puppet and master. More »

  • McCain Takes Hard Line on Putin's Russia

    May 6, 08 9:35 AM CDT
    McCain Takes Hard Line on Putin's Russia John McCain says he favors expelling Russia from the G8 and forming a "league of democracies" to confront Moscow about rights abuses. The Republican candidate has fallen in with hard-line advisers, spurning pragmatists who favor dialogue and taking a tougher approach than his Democratic rivals. As Dmitry Medvedev prepares to become president tomorrow, Bloomberg looks at what Russia can expect from a new American administration. More »

  • Putin Set to Wed 24-Year-Old Gymnast

    Apr 17, 08 5:31 PM CDT
    Putin Set to Wed 24-Year-Old Gymnast Vladimir Putin is said to be preparing to marry a 24-year-old star Russian gymnast, the Telegraph reports. Rumors of the 56-year-old president’s courtship to Alina Kabaeva have been swirling around Moscow for months, but were recently printed by a Russian newspaper that found a St. Petersburg event planner who said he was organizing a wedding for the couple. More »

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) talks to former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev (L) prior to a joint press conference of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Putin at Gottorf castle in Schleswig,...   (Getty Images)
Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev speaks to students and faculty at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)   (Associated Press)
Former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev reaches out to shake the hand of a reporter at the conclusion of an interview with the Associated Press in Cambridge, Mass., Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 4, 2007....   (Associated Press)
prev    next
play

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

Russia  • Vladimir Putin  • democracy  • Dmitry Medvedev  • Soviet Union  • Mikhail Gorbachev


Loading...

Loading...

Related Threads: The New Cold War, Putin's Russia, Russia

Next story from this section »

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »