NEWSLINK: Russian PM defends tough laws, stands behind Putin

[Russian PM defends tough laws, stands behind Putin – Reuters – Timothy Heritage – Dec. 7 – http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/07/us-russia-medvedev-idUSBRE8B60OU20121207]

Reuters reports on Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s vocal support for President Vladimir Putin and new laws on treason, protests, defamation and NGO’s:

In a live interview with five Russian television stations, Medvedev appeared determined to show he is in step with Putin and to silence rumours that the more hawkish president could sack him as premier.

Asked about new legislation which forces lobby groups funded from abroad to register as “foreign agents”, Medvedev dismissed concerns that the term was deliberately pejorative because it evokes the Cold war.

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He also dismissed suggestions that the passage of laws in the last six months broadening the definition of treason, raising fines for protesters and increasing fines for defamation was part of a trend signalling a clampdown on the opposition.

Medvedev and Putin have had ties since the 1990’s:

Putin and Medvedev worked together in St.Petersburg in the 1990s, and it was the former KGB spy who ushered his more liberal protege into the presidency in 2008 because the constitution bars three successive terms.

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Medvedev’s standing has declined sharply since he and Putin announced in September last year that Putin planned to return to the presidency, ending speculation that Medvedev would stay on.

A think tank, the Institute of Globalisation Problems, said in a report this week that Medvedev was likely to survive as premier only until March or April because of battles behind the scenes between rival interest groups.

Other political experts say Putin is more likely to keep Medvedev in place at least until there is an economic slowdown or another crisis that requires a high-profile scapegoat.

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