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For weeks there has been whispering in Moscow about a possible resignation of the Russian president. The head of state is seriously ill, it is said. The Kremlin denies it.
By Christina Nagel, ARD Studio Moscow
For the historian and former professor of the Moscow school of diplomatic cadres MGIMO, Valerij Solowej, there is no doubt that many things will change in Russia at the beginning of the year. “Vladimir Putin plans to announce his plans for the transition to power in January,” he says. “This is a major change in the roster.”
The head of the central bank will leave, explains Solowej in an interview with the “Echo Moskvy” broadcaster. The head of government. And: President Vladimir Putin himself has promised it to his family, says the critic of Putin, who likes to present himself as an infiltrator. In his opinion, among those who have influence are Alina Kabaeva, his daughters and some friends who are very close to him.
Parkinson’s, cancer, antidepressants
Of course, none of this happens without a reason. But because Putin is seriously ill. As proof, Solowej cites the Telegram channel “General SWR”, which is allegedly run by former secret service agents. There is an entry there that says President Putin is being treated with drugs for Parkinson’s disease. She is given antidepressants and is undergoing cancer treatment.
So not one or the other. But all at the same time. When she heard that, says journalist Julia Latynina, who is critical of the government, shaking her head, her eyes widened. Everyone knows that the Kremlin is a black box. Especially when it comes to family and health. She believes Solowej only brought up the story to speak.
About Putin. And about Solowej, whose inside knowledge is now publicly questioned by many. Political scientist Stanislaw Belkowskij also considers everything to be a fairy tale that is now spreading mainly abroad. True to the motto: where there is smoke, there must be fire somewhere …
The main cough of the country.
Now every appearance of Vladimir Putin will be analyzed. When the president had to cough with government officials during a publicly broadcast video call in mid-November, alarm bells rang in many media, Julia Taratuta wryly commented on the independent station “Doschd”: After all, it was the cough of the first man of the state. In other words, the biggest cough in the country.
And then he lists everything that has been remotely diagnosed with Putin in the past: from spinal damage to Asperger’s syndrome to pancreatic cancer.
In addition to facial expressions and gestures, the frequency with which Putin leaves his suburban residence is also closely monitored. It is said that it is rarely seen in public. However, this could also be related to the acute crisis in the crown.
New immunity law
But there are also the other clues: the numerous reviews of Putin’s years in power that state television has been showing for weeks. His best jokes, he never showed images from his private archive, rare images of the Kremlin.
Or the law of immunity of the president and his family after the end of his term. That, as Parliamentarian Pavel Krasheninnikov says, is extremely important in preventing acts of revenge. So that no one, for economic, political or other reasons, occurs to legally prosecute this person in any way.
Kremlin test?
And then there are the bills that are currently being presented to parliament. All of which could serve to keep opponents and critics at bay in the period of political transition: on the Internet, on the street, or in the media and non-governmental organizations. The poison attack on Kremlin critic Navalny also fits the picture well, says political observer Solowej.
There is nothing to comment on, comments Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on all this: It is total nonsense. The president is fine. He has no intention of resigning. He is in great shape.
Perhaps, the journalist Julia Taratuta philosophizes, this is just a test of the Kremlin. To see who remains loyal and who rushes into a supposed succession battle. In which, just to complete the rumors, Putin’s daughter should also play a role.
