1. The President's Message to the Federal Assembly.
- Author
-
Schröder, Hans-Henning
- Subjects
- *
PRESIDENTS , *POLITICAL leadership , *GOVERNMENT policy , *TWENTY-first century ,RUSSIAN politics & government - Abstract
This article analyses Putin's first keynote speech of his new term in office. It is argued that it is significant not for the policy agenda it outlines, which is largely nothing new, but for its attempt to set in place a national-conservative narrative that evokes Russian traditions and past glories as a frame for official policy. In so doing, Putin is trying to regain the support of the majority of the Russian populace. However this risks alienating the minority--including business elites and liberal middle-classes--and thus stoking societal divisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013