Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Sergey Zhavoronkov
Author-Name-First: Sergey                               
Author-Name-Last: Zhavoronkov
Author-Workplace-Name: Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy
Title: The Political and Economic Results of February 2013
Abstract:  February saw yet another flare-up in the ongoing turf war between economic clans, first of all be�tween Ivan Sechin�s and Arkady Dvorkovich�s groups of influence. The latest flare-up was so strong that it even spilled over into Russia�s state-owned TV channels. Thus, in one of its programs aired in February, the TV channel Russia showed some openly anti-Dvorkovich footage. Nevertheless, Dvorkovich still felt himself at ease, being in fact the main moderator speaking on behalf of those in the state apparatus who are displeased with Sechin�s desire to take the reins of yet another com�pany in addition to Rosneft and Rosneftegaz. As far as this turf war was concerned, Putin was able to keep himself above the fray: he aptly maneuvered, alternatively criticizing representatives of one and then the other of these groups, and signing directives in their favor. The President�s policy was apparently aimed at maintaining the delicate balance of power within his inner circle. At the same time, the law-enforcement authorities increased pressure on the businesses deemed to be friendly to Dvorkovich. Also, Russia�s mass media widely reported on the anti-corruption campaign, showing a confusing mixture of anti-opposition materials and documentaries aimed against some representa�tives of the party of power. In the process, they did their utmost to depict Putin and the power struc�tures as objective and unbiased arbitrators. Apart from their positive PR impact, such campaigns usually have a palpably negative impact by increasing the number of conflicts within the �vertical of power�.
Classification-JEL: K0, K1, K4, D73, D74
Keywords: The Political Results, Economic Results, February 2013
Year: 2013 
Issue: 3
Month: March 
Pages: 5-8
Journal:Russian Economic Developments
File-URL: http://www.iep.ru/files/RePEc/gai/recdev/86Zhavoronkov.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:gai:recdev:86