[줌인] “Does patriotism feed me”… Russian’Putinism’ collapses in economic crisis

Input 2021.02.01 10:56 | Revision 2021.02.01 11:05

Naval city release protests across Russia… ‘Ann Putin’ sentiment expanded
Unemployment, recession, and grocery inflation
Protesters who do not sink despite successive arrests… “The social atmosphere has changed”

The analysis of the collapse of Putin’s Russian regime, which has been firmly defending the’iron rule’ for 20 years, is coming out from various foreign media. It is explained that the so-called “putinism”, which has gained high approval ratings for its strong Russian nationalism, faced collapse after the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19), coupled with aggravating economic crisis, suspicion of corruption, and suspicion of eliminating static.

On the 31st (local time), the New York Times analyzed that the national support gained through external expansion, such as restoring the former Soviet Union’s territory after the inauguration of President Vladimir Putin, is collapsing due to the economic crisis in earnest after Corona 19. In particular, protests demanding the release of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalni are taking place across Russia, which is said to be the expression of such dissatisfaction.

Russian political scientist Ekaterina Schulman stressed in a telephone interview with The New York Times that “wiggling the Russian flag no longer suppressed resistance.” It is explained that the public distrust of the Russian government’s economic and foreign policies is increasing due to the economic crisis. The New York Times said, “Now, the Russian people are looking at’empty refrigerators’ rather than various TV propaganda that inspire patriotism.”

Russia’s economy continues to deteriorate due to the corona 19 pandemic and falling oil prices. Last year, the value of the ruble fell by 20%, and according to Russian government statistics, Russia’s disposable income declined by 3% last year. Some media analysts say the situation is worse than statistics from the Russian government.

According to KOTRA’s report, the price of natural resources, which accounts for most of Russia’s imports, has declined significantly since last year due to the decline in the use of fossil fuels amid the global economic downturn caused by Corona 19. As a result, the value of the ruble has also plunged, surpassing 80 rubles per dollar for the first time since 2014.

As a result, inflation was also rising as the pressure to increase import prices increased. At the end of last year, prices for butter increased by 79%, sugar by 71.5%, and frozen fish by 68%. In addition, prices for most foods, including 24.2% for potatoes, 32.7% for carrots and 21.2% for wheat, rose sharply compared to the same period last year. In response, the Russian government directly intervened to control the prices of food and daily necessities in major food companies. It is also a point that shows that the lives of the common people are so serious that the government must directly intervene in the market and lower prices.

It is analyzed that complaints accumulated after the arrest of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalni exploded. According to foreign media such as AP and AFP, large-scale protests in support of Navalni are currently taking place across Russia, including Moscow. Protesters are confronting the police, shouting slogans such as “Putin resigns” and “Putin is a thief”. In St. Petersburg, Russia’s second city, thousands of people protested for the release of Navalni, and about 600 were arrested.

The New York Times emphasized the fact that unlike in the past, these protests are taking place in large cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg. The newspaper stressed that “a variety of opposition groups, ranging from communists to right-wing nationalists, are on the streets,” and “this means that support for the Putin government is greatly shaken.”

The Moscow Times also analyzed that the Putin regime’s control of the parliament was not as strong as before, ahead of the national Duma (Russian House of Representatives) election in September this year. It is explained that antipathy against Putin is spreading within the second party, the Communist Party, and far-right parties that do not support democracy but openly show their resistance to Putin’s regime are increasingly influential along with the’anti-putin’ sentiment.

Meanwhile, experts predict that the protests in Russia will not easily subside. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Russian political analyst Constantine Khalassev explained that “there are different reasons for people to come to the streets.” “There is a different social atmosphere from the past.”