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08/12/2009 | Moscow News №47 2009
A wish list for Santa Putin
Moscow News - Politics - A wish list for Santa Putin

Tom Balmforth

RussiaProfile.org

Vladimir Putin was like "Ded Moroz dishing out presents" during his Q&A session on Dec. 3, making a raft of promises and pledges to anxious callers, according to one leading analyst.

Reviving Russia's single-industry towns and combatting terrorism were the main topics of the show, as the prime minister tried to calm a nation shaken by the economic crisis and the Nevsky Express train bombing. Several recent polls suggest the premier's ratings have taken a tumble, prompting speculation that the show was aimed at shoring up the government's popularity.

"The peak of the crisis has been overcome ... But the exit from the crisis takes time, strength and no small amount of funds," Putin said.

Putin was optimistic about Russia's economic recovery, pointing to the economy's average monthly growth of 0.5 percent in the last five months and the better demographic situation than a decade ago, during the last economic crisis.

"Birth rates are growing at a record pace, soon to exceed 3 percent, and death rates are falling ... This has an economic impact too, because it supports demand," he said.

"My main impression today is that Putin is eager to keep citizens thinking that the crisis is almost over," said Nikolai Petrov, an analyst at the Carnegie Moscow Centre, adding that it was also important for Putin to take populist measures to keep his ratings "pretty high".

Putin also took calls from various single-industry towns, or "monogorods," where groups of immaculately turned-out factory workers were lined up in neat rows and wearing hard hats.

The first town to talk to Putin was Pikalyovo, where Putin is lauded as a saviour for his role in settling a managerial squabble that had brought all three of the town's factories - and its power station - to a halt, depriving the residents of both jobs and hot water. The first Pikalyovo worker to speak began by thanking Putin for having come to the rescue half a year ago, but asked that Putin come again because a similar row is developing. Putin replied firmly and unequivocally. "If the situation demands, I will come to you and to any other place in the country. It is my duty."

Putin also talked of continued government support for the steel industry and automakers dependent upon it. In reply to a call from Tolyatti, the home of Avtovaz, Putin stressed his support for the Lada brand and suggested that it might soon attract further foreign investment from Renault.

On the first (and most popular) topic raised from the 1.5 million questions received - the Nevsky Express tragedy - Putin said the "threat of terrorism remains very high," but ruled out a new war in the North Caucasus.

"Do events in Ingushetia, Dagestan and other regions signal the start of a new war in the Caucasus? No. I don't sense any sort of war in the Caucasus. The situation is difficult ... There are still extremist groups. That's a fact, and we will continue to fight them until they are completely extinguished."

Putin reaffirmed his close working relationship with Medvedev, but hinted that he could run for president in 2012. "I will think about it. There is plenty of time," he said.

Apart from this, much of the four-hour marathon was devoted to specific public complaints. Putin invariably vowed to resolve these quibbles, usually with the promise of money. At one point he reassured a man who complained that his war veteran aunt had been denied the free accommodation Putin had publicly promised. Not to worry, he said - it's on its way. "The decision has been taken and it is final. We are allocating the funds for this in 2010," Putin said.

Alexei Mukhin, head of the Centre for Political Information, said that Russians had now realised that "with Putin's help they can resolve any of their little but real problems: problems they've encountered with the state system, problems getting registered for treatment in hospitals, or getting their pensions increased.

"People in Russia are now beginning to think of Vladimir Putin as Ded Moroz," said Mukhin.

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"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs" -- Papa Smurf.

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I can use a new BMW for this holiday season.

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