Hmm.. moving the chess board about ?

[msmoby]

Russian government resigns, announces PM Medvedev, following President Putin's State-of-the-Nation Address https://www.rt.com/russia/478340-government-resigns-russia-putin-medvedev/

[dcguyusa]

Order your set today.   

https://www.chess2020.com/

[Manny]

I read several news articles on this today while travelling and it still isn’t entirely clear what is going on. Can anyone elucidate?

[msmoby]

Well,


VVP announced proposed a change in the constitution - followed by these 'resignations' ..


It's clearly an attempt to keep the reigns of power and exclude 'rivals' .. ( example) those who might not have lived in Russia for the last 25 years .. those with residency elsewhere

[Markje]

I read several news articles on this today while travelling and it still isn’t entirely clear what is going on. Can anyone elucidate?

Putin wants to stay in power after 2024.

Putin pushes much of the presidents power to the Duma. (happened yesterday)
Putin has a KGB-sock-puppet be the head of the Duma until he resigns in 2024 (as required by law)
Putin Rules from the duma and the new prez becomes a sock puppet. (prolly medvedev, which is why he's being put in a media-quiet place now).

[Manny]

Thanks both, this article gives a fairly reasonable oversight I think:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-7892299/Vladimir-Putins-new-changes-audaciously-disguised-power-grab-writes-MARK-ALMOND.html

As does this one:

https://www.rt.com/op-ed/478381-russian-government-resignation-mishustin/

[BillyB]

Russian President can serve two consecutive terms, correct? Let's say Putin finishes his Presidency and becomes Prime Minister again, can he go back and do another two terms as President? If so, as Prime Minister, he may shift power back to the presidency before becoming President again.

Does anybody believe these recent government changes is strictly for the benefit of Russia to give the economy a boost and not for Putin?

[Markje]

Russian President can serve two consecutive terms, correct? Let's say Putin finishes his Presidency and becomes Prime Minister again, can he go back and do another two terms as President? If so, as Prime Minister, he may shift power back to the presidency before becoming President again.

Does anybody believe these recent government changes is strictly for the benefit of Russia to give the economy a boost and not for Putin?

If old age isn' slowing him down then yes, putin very much can become president again after having been Prime minister. (Just read up on medvedev-1, it will be a replay of those things).

[BillyB]

Russian President can serve two consecutive terms, correct? Let's say Putin finishes his Presidency and becomes Prime Minister again, can he go back and do another two terms as President? If so, as Prime Minister, he may shift power back to the presidency before becoming President again.

Does anybody believe these recent government changes is strictly for the benefit of Russia to give the economy a boost and not for Putin?

If old age isn' slowing him down then yes, putin very much can become president again after having been Prime minister. (Just read up on medvedev-1, it will be a replay of those things).

When Medvedev was President, he let Putin call the shots. Medvedev isn't going to be around anymore. Probably why Putin now wants to transfer power to the Prime Minister position before he takes the position. He may not have confidence the next Russian president will cooperate as much as Medvedev did.

[2tallbill]

Putin Says He Doesn’t Want Return to Soviet-Era Lifetime Leaders
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/putin-says-doesn-t-want-160026480.html

[BillyB]

Putin Says He Doesn’t Want Return to Soviet-Era Lifetime Leaders
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/putin-says-doesn-t-want-160026480.html

Putin also said Russia didn't shoot down MH17 and there were no Russian troops in Ukraine. Putin said the Russians that were there followed their hearts. I guess the tanks and BUK missile system followed their hearts too.

[2tallbill]

Putin also said Russia didn't shoot down MH17 and there were no Russian troops in Ukraine. Putin said the Russians that were there followed their hearts. I guess the tanks and BUK missile system followed their hearts too.

What's your point?

What Putin says is news that's why I posted it. I have no more ability
to determine the veracity of what he says from day to day than you do.

[BillyB]

What's your point?

The point is Putin makes a lot of statements that aren't true.

[2tallbill]

The point is Putin makes a lot of statements that aren't true.

Valid point.

[Manny]

The point is Putin makes a lot of statements that aren't true.

Valid point.

I disagree. He is more honest than most leaders in fact. Usually when he says a thing, it is true I find.

[BillyB]

Putin became President of Russia in 2000. He says he doesn't want to return to Soviet Era lifetime leaders but he's ran the country longer than any Soviet leader with the exception of Stalin. What Putin says and does are two different things. When Putin finishes his term in 2024, he will have tied Stalin for the leader running the country the longest. If he takes the more powerful Prime Minister position that he's now creating after he finishes the Presidency in 2024, he will be Russia's leader longer than Stalin was the leader for the USSR.

Vladimir Lenin (1912–1924)
Joseph Stalin (1929–1953)
Nikita Khrushchev (1953–1964)
Leonid Brezhnev (1964–1982)
Yuri Andropov (1982–1984)
Konstantin Chernenko (1984–1985)
Mikhail Gorbachev (1985–1991)

[Manny]

Can you think of a better president that could replace him? I can't.

Maybe they could get a soap star like Ukraine, or a reality TV star like the US. Or here's one: Why dont they get a serious bloke who knows what he is doing and is a proper patriot. Oh, they did already. 

[Omega1982]

Can you think of a better president that could replace him? I can't.

Maybe they could get a soap star like Ukraine, or a reality TV star like the US. Or here's one: Why dont they get a serious bloke who knows what he is doing and is a proper patriot. Oh, they did already. 

Maladetz tavarish! 

[msmoby]

Can you think of a better president that could replace him? I can't.

NOT a 'surprise' - given your 'knowledge' of any potential 'player' is from a 'source' the currrent leadership permits ...

Maybe they could get a soap star like Ukraine, or a reality TV star like the US. Or here's one: Why dont they get a serious bloke who knows what he is doing and is a proper patriot. Oh, they did already. 

A 'patriot' ...

Yes, that's what you are if you love your country and agree with the course the current leadership is taking .. if you do not agree ... why aren't you still a patriot ? 

'THEY' aren't allowed the candidates who might actually win

[rosco]

Can you think of a better president that could replace him? I can't.

NOT a 'surprise' - given your 'knowledge' of any potential 'player' is from a 'source' the currrent leadership permits ...

Maybe they could get a soap star like Ukraine, or a reality TV star like the US. Or here's one: Why dont they get a serious bloke who knows what he is doing and is a proper patriot. Oh, they did already. 

A 'patriot' ...

Yes, that's what you are if you love your country and agree with the course the current leadership is taking .. if you do not agree ... why aren't you still a patriot ? 

'THEY' aren't allowed the candidates who might actually win

OK Moby enough of the baiting. Tell us, who's your better qualified candidate to replace Putin and why? 

[msmoby]

OK Moby enough of the baiting. Tell us, who's your better qualified candidate to replace Putin and why? 

The Russian people should be allowed to choose and THEY can decide .. This latest stunt is to ensure otherwise

[rosco]

OK Moby enough of the baiting. Tell us, who's your better qualified candidate to replace Putin and why? 

The Russian people should be allowed to choose and THEY can decide .. This latest stunt is to ensure otherwise

You're quite vocal with your anti Putin views. I was simply asking, who are these better candidates that some people talk about?

[2tallbill]

I disagree. He is more honest than most leaders in fact. Usually when he says a thing, it is true I find.

Of course you do.

[Manny]

I disagree. He is more honest than most leaders in fact. Usually when he says a thing, it is true I find.

Of course you do.

How's the wall between you and Mexico coming along? Or the withdrawal of troops from overseas and fewer wars and military engagements?

*Crickets and snoring*   

On the other hand, Putin said:

"We will build a bridge between Crimea and Kerch"

*activity commences*

Result:

Like I said, when he says a thing, it is generally true. 

[BillyB]

Who's qualified to replace Putin? Plenty of people who will stabilize Ukraine and get sanctions removed from Russia. Strengthen Russia's Ruble. Improve trade and economy. Anybody that will take action to remove mafia influence in government and business. Anybody that will create such a wonderful environment in Russia that Syrian refugees prefer Russia over Europe.

But we are past the point of asking who's better to lead Russia and should be asking who's next. Term limits benefit Russia and when those rules are tossed, the one that tossed out the rules certainly isn't best for Russia.