モスクワの広場を埋める「プロプーチン」プーチン支持派のデモ Nashiと呼ばれる青年親衛隊も存在する Putin's Great Future in Politics How to create, hold, and transfer the world's super power OCTOBER 26, 2007 EST | Associated Press/Moscow | Translation by ysbee
MOSCOW ? Turning to his future in Russian politics, Putin said he would not assume presidential powers if he became prime minister after finishing his term in the spring. "If someone thinks that I intend to move, let's say, into the government of the Russian Federation and transfer the fundamental powers there, that's not the case," Putin said. "There will be no infringement on the powers of the president of the Russian Federation, at least while it depends on me."
1. Transferring the power to PM The popular Putin is barred from seeking a third consecutive term in the March 2008 presidential election. But he suggested earlier this month that he could become prime minister after his term ends in May, leading some to speculate that the substantial powers now invested in the presidency might be transferred to the prime minister.
2. Keeping superior authority of Putin After repeating his insistence that he does not intend to change the constitution in order to run for a third term, Putin said he had not yet decided where and in what capacity he would work as former president. He is expected to remain an influential figure in Russia. Putin will lead the ticket of the dominant United Russia party in December parliamentary elections. An overwhelming victory for the party could turn the legislature into a new power base for Putin and give him a claim to continued authority based on his popularity.
絶大な人気を背景に絶対権力創造か ロシア大統領の三期目まで居座るためにわざわざ憲法を改定するつもりはないと、事ある毎に繰り返し主張してきたプーチンだが、「元大統領」と呼ばれる立場になった場合に、どういう地位にいてどんな役割の可能性があるのかを、まだ決定してはいないとも言っていた。しかし一般的な見方では、プーチンは大統領職を退いても、ロシアの中で影響力のある存在に止まるだろうと期待されている。また12月に行なわれる国会議員選挙では、プーチンは彼の所属するUnited Russia party=統一ロシア党をリードして、同党が議席過半数を占めることも予想されている。彼の率いる党が圧倒的勝利に終われば、そのメンバーで組閣される政府閣僚がプーチンの新しい権力の基盤となって、国民の人気を背景にしながら、彼の権限の延長を認める方向へ動くだろう。
3. Positive spin on Portugal summit Putin and EU leaders put a positive spin on Friday's Portugal summit. Many observers had approached the meeting with low expectations, given deepening disputes between Moscow and the 27-nation union over issues such as energy, human rights and the Balkans. Putin, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and other EU officials repeatedly characterized the talks as "open, frank and productive."
4. Top issue: Russian energy policy However, the two sides failed to sign a new cooperation agreement to replace an expiring one, and two minor deals ? on drug trafficking and steel exports ? were the only concrete results announced. Topping the list of concerns for a growing number of European nations is Russian energy policy ? the reliability of supplies and the intentions of state-run oil and gas companies.
5. EU's dependency on Russian supply Russia already provides 30 percent of EU energy imports, including 44 percent of natural gas imports. The state-controlled gas giant OAO Gazprom has recently moved to acquire assets in Europe and strike bilateral deals with some EU countries. That has led the EU to consider new restrictions on non-EU companies owning majority stakes in gas pipelines or electricity power grids without additional agreements ? much to the Russians' consternation.