CIAO DATE: 03/2010
January 2010
Finnish Institute for International Affairs
Vladimir Putin is often applauded for bringing stability and order to Russia. There is no doubt that in comparison with the turbulent 1990s, the perceived stability increased significantly in Russia during his two presidential terms. The political order was brought about by strengthening the central state and presidential power at the expense of other actors. During the Yeltsin years the centre had lost a considerable amount of power to the regions and to business oligarchs.
Resource link: Medvedev's take on the power vertical: Are the rules of the game changing in Russia? [PDF] - 859K