Economic Decline Threatens Medvedev's 'Liberality'
Marie Jégo, Le Monde (in French) | July 15, 2009
A decline in the Russian economy caused by the global financial crisis could set off an authoritarian agenda change in the Kremlin. ++ Worker protests and societal riots against company closings are just the beginning. ++ The situation in mono-industrial cities leftover from the Soviet era is particularly alarming. ++ Considering the growing power of today's Russian state, the nationalization of at-risk companies seems certain. ++ This development "could change Medvedev's 'liberal policies' to more centralized ones, close to Mr. Putin's."
