Suchergebnisse

Russians had several reasons to be satisfied with 2004, along with numerous reasons for concern. The good news included the economy as growth continued at a sustained pace & inflation steadily declined. The standard of living of the population is slowly rising & a real middle class is emerging. Politically, on the other hand, there is a tendency for the powers that be to try to regain control, exerting influence on the media, returning former KGB officials to positions of authority in the government & generally strengthening the authority of the state & its institutions. But this does not necessarily justify fears of a return to the Soviet era, which would be a shortsighted view. It is obvious that Vladimir Putin is trying to consolidate his authority & that of the state he dominates. He does not, however, have either the means -- nor likely the ambition -- to go any further. The current tightening of control is above all the result of Russia's persistent complex of encirclement, aggravated by recent events in Georgia & Ukraine. Adapted from the source document.