Unholy Alliance
Putin and Values
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
For years, the Russian head of state has objected to criticism of his contempt for democracy and rule of law. But now the Kremlin has gone on the offensive. Russian President Vladimir Putin claims not only an independent way for Russia, he has declared his country guardian of “traditional values”. The attempt to evoke Russia’s 19th-century role as “gendarme of Europe” is obvious. Thus the Kremlin is also finding new allies, namely on the right of Western Europe’s political spectrum. The search for partners for a long-term democratic course of development in Russia has become more difficult. This search must not be abandoned.
(Osteuropa 1/2014, pp. 43–62)