Putin's First 100 Days
Much like American Presidents, the first 100 days of Vladimir Putin’s third term as President of Russia has revealed many of his policy priorities and set the tone for the remainder of his term. Though Putin used his inaugural address to proclaim a “new” Russian development Will Pomeranz, deputy director of the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute, argues in a Wilson Center paper that “on closer inspection [it] looks much like the old one, with the Russian state defending its interests above those of its people.”
Much like American Presidents, the first 100 days of Vladimir Putin’s third term as President of Russia has revealed many of his policy priorities and set the tone for the remainder of his term. Though Putin used his inaugural address to proclaim a “new” Russian development Will Pomeranz, deputy director of the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute, argues in a Wilson Center paper that “on closer inspection [it] looks much like the old one, with the Russian state defending its interests above those of its people.”
Pomeranz explains how Putin has reaffirmed his grip on power in Russia by asserting control over the energy sector, reinforcing Russia’s power vertical, and weakening oversight institutions. He argues that this power grab “has only set the stage for a more dramatic second act in the Presidency of Vladimir Putin,” making the scenario for confrontation with other parts of Russian society even more likely.
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About the Author
William E. Pomeranz
William Pomeranz, Senior Fellow and former Director of the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute, is an expert guide to the complexities of political and economic developments in Russia, particularly through the lens of law. He leverages extensive, hands-on experience in international and Russian jurisprudence to address a wide range of legal issues, from the development of Russia’s Constitution to human rights law to foreign investment and sanctions. He is also the author of Law and the Russian State: Russia's Legal Evolution from Peter the Great to Vladimir Putin (Bloomsbury, 2018).
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Kennan Institute
The Kennan Institute is the premier US center for advanced research on Eurasia and the oldest and largest regional program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Kennan Institute is committed to improving American understanding of Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the surrounding region though research and exchange. Read more
