Àlina Lisenkova, head of Forecast Department of the Center for Current Politics in Russia
EVENT. On the 18th of March the state Duma will approve six auditors of the Account Chamber of the RF.
SCENARIO. A month ago the State Duma stopped powers of six auditors of the Account Chamber, appointed by it, before the appointed time. There were representatives of the CPRF (the Communist Party) and SPS (the Union of Right Forces) among of them. The planned procedure will become a test for loyalty to two “masters of the situation” – personally the head of the Account Chamber and Duma’s hegemon – faction “Yedinaya Rossia”. It is not accidentally that offer of recall of auditors was proposed by leaders of the authority party. Right Alexander Kushnar and Communist Mikhail Surkov, who are not members of Stepashin’s surroundings, are likely to lose their status of auditors of the Account Chamber. Representatives of “Yedinaya Rossia” will replace them.
EVENT. On the 19th of March Vladimir Putin will come to Kiev with working visit.
SCENARIO. Now the most important for Moscow is not to give the Ukraine to leave its integration unions (the CES, CIS) and to infringe interests of Russian business during deprivatization announced by Kiev. The format of the visit corresponds to the level of Russian-Ukrainian relations. Putin will come to the Ukraine for several hours on his way from Paris, where he met with the leaders of France, Germany, and Spain. Thus Moscow will show its influence on the European community, which Kiev aspires to join. Demonstrative and fruitful contacts with the largest members of the EU could become means of pressure on the Ukraine.
Published: “Rodnaya Gazeta”, 11.03.2005
