The details of the life and career of state leaders have always been and remain the subject of increased interest of citizens. The Russian president was no exception: the Internet is full of questions, opinions, and discussions about how Putin came to power. Really how?
From the history
The official biography of the Russian president is well known, and yet we recall a few things. On the eve of the new year 2000, in connection with the early resignation of the first president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, Putin, the then head of the Russian government, is appointed acting head of state. Following the results of the 2000 elections, Putin is already the legitimate president of Russia, and in 2004 he is re-elected for a second term. In May 2008, Dmitry Medvedev, the former head of the Putin administration, was elected head of state. In the 2012 presidential election, Vladimir Putin wins again. The current title of the main Russian leader is the second and fourth president of the Russian Federation. And anyone who is interested in what year Putin came to power should remember all three dates.
How to become presidents
Of course, the population is more interested in information that is not related to officialdom. Sometimes a question is even formulated as follows: “Who brought Putin to power?” But before discussing this, let us think: how do they become heads of state?
If we take, for example, the country of established democracy, the United States, then the struggle for leadership here is, in fact, between two competing parties: Republicans and Democrats. The victorious leader becomes the American president. This competition is not so much a party program, but a vital attitude. Democrats are more preoccupied with individual rights and social support for the population, but this policy of fawning often leads to a weakening state. Republicans are mostly statesmen, their programs are usually not populist, and not everyone likes it. Both parties lead almost in turn; such turnover can be explained only by changes in civic sentiment, as well as new demands and needs in society. That is, in a democracy, it is precisely the leader whose program installations are most desired and sought after by the people who win.
Let's get back to our question: “How did Putin come to power?” Probably, the details of his career and appointment do not always lie on the surface, and it is not easy to explain them. But the very fact of his popular election as president in 2000 indicates the desire of the population to have just such a head of state. I must admit, the first president of Russia, Yeltsin, pretty much weakened his country, and society desired a stronger leader.
About some features of Russian voting
The desire to choose the best is characteristic of any people. True, an interesting feature is observed in Russia and in other countries of the post-Soviet space: the electorate votes not so much for, but against.
What does it mean? The population, choosing one or another candidate, does not deceive himself at all about him. Voters see the flaws of their chosen one, but what remains to be done? The rest is even worse!
Recall candidates for the presidential election in Russia in 2012. There were 5 registered: Zhirinovsky, Mironov, Zyuganov, Prokhorov, Putin. The coming to power of the latter in this case is quite natural. They don’t like the oligarchs in the country, the hour of communists has long passed. Mironov lacks experience and charisma, and Zhirinovsky is generally perceived by many as a comedian. Putin was clearly preferable to his rivals!
Why is there no real choice, why do you have to choose the lesser of evils? This is another question.
About talk and rumor
The road that V. Putin climbed up cannot be called standard. A boy from a simple family, a KGB personnel officer, who only occupied the first civilian position in 1991, he turned into the head of a huge power in less than 10 years. Naturally, this generated a lot of rumors about the mechanisms that led him to the highest steps, about the patrons of Putin (among them the late oligarch Boris Berezovsky was also called). Trying to explain how Putin came to power, KOB (Public Security Concept, Political Movement) even begins to talk about a world conspiracy. How to relate to these rumors? Just as with any other - do not take into account.
The secrets of political cuisine (not only in Russia, in any country) are not fully understood by ordinary mortals. Sometimes over the years, some kind of rumor finds confirmation, but more often, researchers of famous biographies simply get confused in a stream of conflicting information. But is it really important to know about every step of Putin’s path to the presidency? Isn’t it more correct to judge the leaders of the state by what they do for their power?
About Putin's activities
Putin’s activities as head of state cannot be called unambiguous. The personality of the Russian president also causes considerable controversy, and any of his actions is subjected, on the one hand, to full approval, and on the other, to fierce criticism. It doesn’t even matter what is at stake - everything will have its opponents and supporters. One credits Putin with the consolidation of power, while the other reproaches him for strangling democracy. Someone praises Putin for ending the war in Chechnya, someone scolds - they say, we feed the Caucasus. One endorses Putin’s war on corruption, the other considers the Russian president to be the chief corrupt official. Someone condemns Putin for an aggressive foreign policy, someone, on the contrary, is proud of this policy.
What can I say! Unless again remember how Putin came to power. At the time of his arrival, Russia, to put it mildly, was not in good shape. Shortly before his election, Putin published a program article, where he presented his vision of the challenges facing the country. Among them were the strengthening of state power, the consolidation of society, the fight against poverty, improving the efficiency of the economy. At least part of these tasks he decided: Russia is known in the world.
Conclusion
Both opponents and supporters of the Russian president should be reminded of one thing. In the last election of 2012, Putin did not just win - according to official figures, he snatched victory in the first round, gaining more than 63% of the vote. Russia, of course, can hardly be called the most democratic power, and there are many complaints about the election system. But 63%! Such a result cannot be faked even in a totalitarian society!
The Russian president really enjoys the support of his fellow citizens, his rating is constantly growing. So, the question of how Putin came to power can only be answered: the people elected him. You can’t argue with the facts!