Der wütende Putin ist in einem vergoldeten Käfig gefangen. Nur der Tod wird ihn befreien

When protesters staged the largest ever demonstrations of post-Soviet times in 2011-12, “Russia without Putin” was one of their favourite slogans. Fourteen years later, he’s still there. In theory, Putin can stay in office until 2036, when he will be 84. Can he? [Does he want to](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/russian-dissident-living-london-putin-knows-end-coming-soon-4006885?ico=in-line_link)?

Retirements have not really been a part of Russia’s history. Monarchs might be assassinated, like the reformist Alexander II, but as the last tsar, Nicholas II found when he abdicated, trying to pass the crown to his younger brother Michael, a legitimacy founded on divine right is not something you can pass around the family.

Soviet leaders essentially “retired” through death or ill-health, apart from Nikita Khrushchev, ousted by a political coup in 1964, or Mikhail Gorbachev, who voluntarily ceded power when he dissolved the USSR in 1991.

Boris Yeltsin, post-Soviet Russia’s first leader, did retire. In a carefully-choreographed operation at the end of 1999, his chosen successor was made prime minister, so when Yeltsin stood down, he became acting president and could stand for election with the advantage of incumbency. Of course, this was a gamble, relying on the gratitude and loyalty of the new president to look after his predecessor and his cronies.

That successor was [one Vladimir Putin](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/putin-destroyed-russias-future-his-own-legacy-3685904?ico=in-line_link), and in fairness, he did hold up his part of the bargain. His very first decree was to grant Yeltsin and his family – around whom corruption claims had swirled for years – immunity from prosecution. Yet Yeltsin was ailing, a victim of his alcoholism and heart problems. He had little choice but to take that gamble.

Putin, though, is a different person, in a different place. He has in the past complained about the presidency, describing himself as a “galley slave,” even if few galley slaves could relax after their labours in any one of Putin’s six palaces. He seems to have toyed with retirement after his first two presidential terms (2000-8) and may again have been contemplating it in 2022 when he invaded Ukraine.

A quick and successful campaign bringing Ukraine back into the fold might have been the kind of triumph making Putin sufficiently revered that no successor could disown him. Of course, [that didn’t happen](https://inews.co.uk/opinion/putins-purpose-defeated-ukraine-peace-deal-4080318?ico=in-line_link).

Things will be better with…checks notes…. Dmitry Medvedev….
We have no idea what or who will replace Putin, but chances are, that it won’t be an improvement.
At least Russia will be busy for a while with consolidating power again.

Sounds like an acceptable solution to me