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The Race to Succeed Putin Has Begun
19FortyFive • • world
Key Points:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin's grip on power appears less secure than often assumed, with speculation growing about potential successors amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- The Washington Post identified seven key figures from various power centers in Moscow who could possibly replace Putin, each with different backgrounds and alliances.
- Potential successors include Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who is constitutionally next in line but lacks political influence, Dmitry Patrushev, connected to Putin’s security-service network, and Aleksei Dyumin, a former bodyguard with military intelligence experience.
- These candidates generally represent a younger generation than Putin and his longtime associates, reflecting a possible effort to avoid the instability seen in the USSR’s final years due to aging leadership.
- Ultimately, the successor will be the individual capable of forming the strongest coalition among Russia’s competing power groups, especially as the war and internal dynamics evolve.
