Putin to rule for life 

Last week, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi chose an ominous way to bond. During a joint press conference in Moscow, Berlusconi announced funding for research that will extend life expectancy to 120.

Putin quipped:

So we will be prime ministers [or president in Putin’s case] until at least the age of 120?

(The Moscow Times, September 13, 2010)

Many took this as a joke. However, I took it as Putin’s way of telegraphing his intent to rule for life. 

Putin is not joking

Indeed, his quip merely affirmed what I’ve been warning about in commentaries for years. For example:

• In “Putin Reforming Russia in His Own Image” on March 25, 2005:

I observed that his Stalinist iron grip has Russians trusting Putin more than any religious or state institution. 

• In “Putin Probably Ordered the Hit on Former Russian Spy Alexander Litvinenko in London. But No One Will Do Anything About It” on November 28, 2006:

I asserted that a flagrant disregard for democratic principles characterizes Putin’s rule. This includes seizing private companies, silencing critics, and assassinating political opponents. His expansionist ambitions hearken back to the era of the Soviet Union’s sphere of influence.

• In “Hail Putin!” on December 3, 2007:

I noted that Putin’s strategic use of Russia’s oil and gas wealth cements his political power and fuels a resurgence of Cold War military strength. I despaired that criticism bounces off him like he’s coated in Teflon.

• In “Putin’s Puppet, Medvedev, Wins Presidential Election by Landslide” on March 3, 2008:

I argued that Putin’s political puppetry will ensure his autocratic reign – even under the pretense of democratic change.

The above references explain why Putin is bound to resume the presidency in 2012 or 2018. It depends only on how he feels about Medvedev keeping his seat warm for another full term. Only the most naïve political observer would doubt this.