Kremlin power dynamics: FSB's unrivalled influence under Putin
Russian political scientist Yuri Felshtinsky dispels doubts about the Kremlin's future in a conversation with "Fakt." He admits that there is currently no real competition for Putin. Meanwhile, the special forces currently operating in the Kremlin hold more influence than they did during the USSR era.
According to Yuri Felshtinsky, there are currently two centres of power in Russia.
One is the administration of President Vladimir Putin, and the other is the Federal Security Service. Ironically, a significant majority of the people who are part of Putin's administration also come from the FSB, he says in a conversation with "Fakt."
He adds that a leadership change will not alter the country's governance, as the FSB still controls it.
This is the first such situation in Russian history. It has never happened before, he says.
The FSB has a surprising amount of authority. Even the KGB was under the political leadership of the Communist Party. Now there is no such control.
Putin can comfortably settle into the presidential chair. At least until 2036
The Russian political scientist admits that Putin can feel safe because there are no successors he should 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. We know this from history. Whatever happens in Russia, occurs unpredictably. We would never expect it. However, I don't think the FSB would allow anyone else to take power, assessed the interviewee of "Fakt."
He also added that Putin has created a very "stable regime for himself" and that, thanks to the amended Russian constitution, he can govern the country without concern until 2036.
Felshtinsky adds that the prolonged war with Ukraine makes Putin "weaker than ever". However, this does not prevent him from still being dangerous, at least through nuclear blackmail and continuous confrontations with the West.
