President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday warned that “provocateurs and extremists” were seeking to stir unrest in Russia, as he unveiled a drive for political reform in response to a recent outburst of protests, while appointing Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov as Kremlin chief of staff on Thursday, giving Vladimir Putin’s close ally one of the most powerful jobs in Russia ahead of his expected return to the presidency next year.
Ivanov, a former KGB spy who is seen as one of Putin’s closest friends, is currently responsible for domestic military and technology policy. A decree on his appointment appeared on the Kremlin website. Two days ahead of a new mass rally accusing the authorities of rigging parliamentary elections, Medvedev proposed a range of political reforms including the resumption of direct elections of local governors.
But in his last state-of-the-nation address before his expected handover of the Kremlin to Vladimir Putin next year, Medvedev also warned that Russia would not allow its biggest protest wave in years to destabilise the country.
“Attempts to manipulate Russian citizens, lead them astray and incite strife in society are unacceptable,” Medvedev told both houses of parliament. “Russia needs democracy and not chaos.” “We will not allow provocateurs and extremists to drag society into their schemes,” Medvedev said, adding: “We will not allow interference from outside in our internal affairs.”
Medvedev’s address came after December 4 parliamentary elections showed an unexpectedly sharp dip in support for the ruling party and were followed by mass protests against vote-rigging. Almost 40,000 people have vowed to attend a new protest in Moscow on Saturday. But in a clear attempt to show the protestors that he was serious about democratic development in Russia, he announced reforms that appeared aimed at breathing new life into its political system.
Crucially, he proposed the resumption of elections for Russia’s regional governors, whose abolition by Putin in 2004 has long been seen by analysts as one of modern Russia’s greatest democratic shortcomings. Under the current system, the Kremlin chooses new governors from a shortlist presented by the ruling party. The appointment is then rubber-stamped by the local parliament.
“I propose a comprehensive reform of our political system,” Medvedev said.
“I would like to say that I hear those who are talking about political changes, and I understand them.” He also proposed a cut in the signatures required for a candidate to register for presidential elections from the current two million to 300,000 for candidates from parliamentary parties and 100,000 for those not represented in parliament. The president said Russia should create a “public television” where neither the state nor the private owner has the ultimate influence.
