European Forum

No breakthroughs in meeting between Russian President and opposition

On Tuesday 21 January, the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met with opposition leaders to discuss reform proposals of the country’s political system. Despite Medvedev’s ostensible willingness to implement small reforms, no major breakthrough was achieved to advance democratization in the country. “Our political system is of course far from ideal, and most of those here criticise it, and sometimes in very harsh terms,” Medvedev told the opposition.

According to critics, the attempt was merely intended to quell and weaken anti-government protests. Last months, Russian citizens took the streets multiple times demanding Prime Minister Vladimir Putin not to run for presidency for a third time in the presidential elections on 4 March. Moreover, demonstrators are angry with the alleged vote-rigging during last parliamentary elections in December.

Sources: Euronews, Irish Times
Image Flickr: by World Economic Forum