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"Many of the world's press have descended into gloom, questioning the prospects for democracy and civil society in Russia" instead of focusing on erosions back home.
Observer newspaper editors suggested Russia might slip "from democracy back towards autocracy." It already has in Britain where Cameron officials gave police the right to prevent far-right groups from marching through five London boroughs for 30 days.
Civil rights activists called it a dangerous precedent, letting police decide where or when free expression is permitted. Today it's against "far-right" groups, tomorrow perhaps everyone very much the case more often in America.
Commenting on his 2012 plans, Wall Street Journal writers Richard Boudreaux. Alexander Kolyandr and Alan Cullison headlined, "Putin to Return to Presidency," saying:
"Medvedev was widely seen as a seat warmer for his 58-year old mentor...."
Outspoken Putin critic Boris Nemtsov (former Deputy Prime Minister under Yeltsin) was quoted, saying:
"This is the worst scenario for Russia. We can expect migration, capital flight, dependence on natural resources and enormous corruption in politics."
Corruption indeed remains a major problem, but Putin's economic record was impressive. He transformed Russia from Yeltsin's basket case to a magnet for foreign investment.
Moreover, living standards doubled. GDP rose 70%. Nearly all Russia's foreign debt was repaid. About $402 billion in foreign currency reserves were accumulated.
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