Several politicians have written letters calling for Putin's resignation - "not a monarch, but an employee"
Created: 09/15/2022, 04:49 am
By: Marcus Giebel
In the past few years, Vladimir Putin has rarely tolerated objections with impunity.
Now he has to grapple with demands for his resignation.
Munich - Vladimir Putin seemed untouchable in Russia.
At least since his return to the post of president in 2012 - after a legislative period under Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister.
Since then, the Kremlin boss has continued to expand his power - whether cleverly or rather mercilessly.
At best, opponents ended up behind bars, but not infrequently - after a mysterious death - under the ground.
The changed laws allow him to be the head of the country until 2036.
Then he would be 83 years old and would have spent 32 of them as President.
But this recently almost inevitable scenario seems increasingly unlikely.
Because the public headwind is becoming increasingly rough.
A situation that Putin is not familiar with and that he would normally not tolerate.
Putin and the Ukraine war: Are Russian troops more afraid of the enemy than of the Kremlin boss?
But the botched war in Ukraine, with which he wanted to improve his reputation and thus his power, could possibly break his neck.
If Putin and his regime expected at the beginning of the invasion to be victorious after a few days, his troops initially failed in conquering Kyiv and other cities.
Now the Kremlin's supposedly superior forces are not even able to hold the previously conquered areas in the east and south against the advancing defenders.
It is even said that the occupiers would simply flee.
Because they are now more afraid of Ukraine's opponents than of Putin's possible revenge if his mission fails?
In any case, Putin's reputation is crumbling.
This shows the open rebellion of more and more politicians against the all-powerful head of state.
First, two city councilors from St. Petersburg and Moscow had called for the Kremlin boss to be fired.
Now 18 local politicians from 17 districts in the two cities are taking the same line: in a statement they are demanding that Putin resign.
This consists of two sentences - and a lot of explosive power: "We, the local deputies of Russia, believe that the actions of President Vladimir Putin harm the future of Russia and its citizens.
We demand Vladimir Putin's resignation from the post of President of the Russian Federation!” Ksenia Torstrem, a deputy for the Semyonovsky district of St. Petersburg, shared the statement on Twitter.
The names of the other politicians can also be read openly.
Is his term as president coming to an end?
Vladimir Putin is facing unexpected headwinds from local politics.
© IMAGO / ITAR-TASS
Politicians urge Putin to step down: 'He's not a monarch, he's an employee'
Speaking to the Russian portal
The Insider
, Torstrem said it was difficult to speak out publicly because of the repression.
That is why the politicians opted for this short and concise text.
“MEPs are not yet forbidden to give an opinion.
And it is also not forbidden to campaign for the resignation of the president,” she emphasizes.
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And further: "He is not a monarch, but an employee who is paid by our taxes.
Our task is to represent the interests of the people and we see that the people are not satisfied.
And the people, according to the constitution, are the source of power.” Torstrem himself “does not understand Vladimir Putin's motives in general.
I think you can't be in power that long."
So the voices that want a Russia without Putin are increasing.
At least the President is hooked.
Maybe counted soon.
But it begs the question: will he ever be able to let go?
And probably even more important: How long will his power apparatus hold him?
Important weeks and months could also come to Russia in domestic politics.
(mg)
