Medwedews first 45 days

Monday 23. June 17:20 - 18:20
Location: Hotel Regent

 

On the third Russia breakfast, organized by the centre Russia/Eurasia of the DGAP in cooperation with Basic Element, Deutsche Bank and the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, the Vice-president of the Russian Association for Industry and Entrepreneurs and President of the Institute for effective Policy, Igor Yurgens, evaluated the first 45 days of the presidency of Dmitrij Medvedev. Yurgens, who with his institute is the most important advisor of the new president in questions of economy, spoke about the achievements and challenges of the new Russian leadership. He pointed out, that Medvedevs demands for more freedom, less corruption and state control is congruent with his reform agenda. But to be successful with his modernization program, he needs support as well as in Russia as the West.

The first 45 days of the new Russian president have been shaped not by radical reforms but by gradual changes. A radical change would have been dangerous for stability because it is neither in the interest of the elite nor of the population. Putin is still the central figure in Russian policy, he has the highest rating and with his popularity he sustains the position of Medvedev. According to Yurgens, behind the scenes between the reformers around the young president and the hardliner a conflict on the future policy is taking place at the moment. The latter are against rapprochement with the West and against market reforms. Medvedev has to develop in the next month a coalition for reforms. If he is successful, he will implement his reform agenda, if not, he will fail at all.