Russia in the aftermath of the economic crisis: a widespread mood of change

In Russia the economic crisis has put political life in motion again. But even though there are signs of economic recovery, nobody can tell exactly whether the crisis has been overcome or whether the current situation is only an interim high. Also the political consequences can only be foreseen to some extent. During the crisis the Kremlin concentrated mainly on mitigating its social consequences. What has helped with these endeavours is the fact that the price of oil has been rising again during the last months. At the same time the political tone became mellower on the domestic front as well as towards other countries. President Dmitri Medjejew started a modernisation campaign in the autumn of last year and criticised problems such as corruption, the arbitrariness of the security authorities and the malfunctioning of the educational and social systems harder than any oppositional politician of this ‘guided’ democracy would have ever dared. Still, until now little more has happened than that the space of what is permitted has increased. The political system as such is just as monopolised and centralised as before. In spite or perhaps because of this, in Russia there is a widespread mood of change which oscillates between hope and desperation. It has become a commonplace to say that things just “cannot go on like this”. At the same time, nobody really knows how political change should be brought about. As far as foreign policy is concerned small, atmospherical rather than substantial changes are showing like the way the remembrance of Katyn has been dealt with. The Kremlin clearly looks for reconciliation with Poland and is ready to make compromises. At the common commemoration with Polish Prime Minister Tusk Prime Minister Putin condemned the “cynicism of the totalitarian regime” and both knelt together at the memorial for the murdered Polish officers. The Russian reactions on the crash of the Polish presidential airplane and the death of President Lech Kaczynski and his entourage which also in Poland were perceived as sincere affirmed this positive impression. Has Russia in the aftermath of the economic crisis entered a period of genuine change?