Kremlin's dual power play: FSB's unprecedented grip under Putin
Russian political scientist Yuri Felshtinsky discusses the Kremlin's future in a conversation with "Fakt." He acknowledges that currently, there is no real competition for Putin. Meanwhile, the special forces operating within the Kremlin are more influential than they were during the USSR era.
9:51 AM EDT, October 27, 2024
According to Yuri Felshtinsky, there are currently two centers of power in Russia.
One is the administration of President Vladimir Putin, and the other is the Federal Security Service (FSB). Ironically, a significant majority of the people who are part of Putin's administration also come from the FSB, he states in a conversation with "Fakt."
He further explains that a change in leadership will not alter the country's management, as the FSB remains in control.
This is the first such situation in Russian history. It has never happened before, he comments.
The FSB holds a surprising amount of authority. Even though the KGB was subject to the political leadership of the Communist Party, there is no such oversight now.
Putin can comfortably settle into the presidential chair, at least until 2036
The Russian political scientist notes that Putin can feel secure because there are no successors he needs to fear.
In Russia, there are no forces that compete for power with the president. The existing political parties are pro-Kremlin and heavily infiltrated by the FSB. Independent leaders who competed with Putin—like Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny—are no longer alive. At the same time, Russia is not a predictable country. History shows us this. Whatever happens in Russia tends to occur unexpectedly. However, I don't think the FSB would allow anyone else to take power, assesses the interviewee of "Fakt."
He also mentions that Putin has established a very "stable regime for himself," and thanks to the amended Russian constitution, he can run the country without concerns until 2036.
Felshtinsky adds that the prolonged war with Ukraine makes Putin "weaker than ever." However, this does not prevent him from remaining dangerous, at least through nuclear blackmail and continuous confrontations with the West.
