Two years ago when Putin took over, politicians, political scientists and the residents of the country asked a natural question: where will the new president lead Russia?
Soon the answer to this question became obvious: the president acts as the guarantor of stability in society, under Putin slow yet definite economic growth has begun, separatist aspirations have been cut short, the legislation of regions has been brought in line with the Russian Constitution and order is being slowly but consistently restored in Chechnya. Many things are yet to be done but Putin's main aim, stated in his annual state-of-the-nation address to the Federal Assembly, is clear: strengthening the state and improving living standards...
Trud's Pavel ANOKHIN and Yuri STROGANOV asked two prominent political scientists to give them their assessments of the past two years.
Sergei MARKOV, director of the Institute of Political Studies:
It is safe to say that the president has fulfilled his two main promises: he has restored the unity of the state, "the vertical of power" and ensured political stability.
The president is the winner. He won in Daghestan, established control over Chechnya, took Grozny without heavy losses and practically eliminated militants in the mountains... He prevented a repetition of terrorist acts in cities.
Vladimir Putin represents a modern and understandable style of communicating with the country. He talks with electors in a simple, laconic and understandable language. He does not promise much and fulfils what he promises, as a rule. His style of political leadership is rather that of a western-type manager, not a Russian tsar, as was the case with Boris Yeltsin.
Life is setting a new, especially difficult aim - a relatively fast economic growth. To achieve it, relevant political solutions are needed: a simple and understandable legislation needs to be formed in order to stimulate this growth. It must be observed by all and in full volume. Russia also needs a normal, developed democracy, and civil activity - in a word, a normal civil society needs to be formed. The country should more intensively integrate into the global economy and policy.
Alexei KOSHMAROV, president of the NOVOKOM information- analytical centre:
Two years at the helm of the country is a short time, nevertheless, real achievements are in evidence. Speaking of foreign policy, for the first time in the past 10-12 years, Russia has started acquiring the features of a real strategic partner of the world's leading states, first of all - in combating international terrorism and transnational crime. Another major success of Putin's foreign policy is the establishment of trustworthy, mutually-respectful relations with the presidents of such countries as Germany and France...
The process of forming the same partner relations with US president George Bush, which has got underway, is especially important in this respect. Apart from all other things, these leaders simultaneously came to power. Today, there are ample grounds to believe that the process of building efficient relations between the presidents of the two leading countries may have a great influence on forming a new atmosphere and new relations in the world. The more so that objective circumstances provide the possibility of laying the foundations of new relations between Russia and the USA and go over from confrontation to partnership.
Speaking of domestic policy, the two years that have passed since Putin's inauguration have been marked by long-awaited political stabilization. Civilized relations are being built between the country's main political forces. It is interesting that the country is consistently getting rid of both Left and Right extremism. Herein lies the pledge of forming a real civilized political environment in Russia.
It goes without saying that far from all things have been implemented yet. The resource of support for the president's policy is not being formed actively enough. The president of any major country must rely on his political resource. This crucial task has not been solved yet. I am talking about the creation of a powerful political party. United Russia claims this role but it needs to work hard to form a unifying ideology with clear-cut aims, specific tasks and values. All Russia needs such ideology today. This process of forming it in new conditions and in the new century is Putin's key task. This will allow him to create a broad-based, stable resource of political support. Delaying this matter is fraught with serious losses.