Article published in La Presse, September 28, 2010
The biggest political battle of the last 10 years Russia ended yesterday. The powerful mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov was sacked by President Dmitry Medvedev, whom he had "lost confidence". These are not accusations of corruption and mismanagement that have been right to judge the extravagant ... but the fact that he dared criticize the head of state, says our contributor.
Moscow - Arriving at his office yesterday morning, Yuri Luzhkov was told he was no longer mayor of the capital for several minutes. President Dmitry Medvedev had just published on its website its termination letter. With immediate effect.
The chief magistrate of the capital of 10 million people would Yet had expected. For three weeks he was no longer in the good graces of the Head of State.
At issue: an article signed by him in which he criticized so thinly veiled Medvedev's leadership, suggesting that he preferred that of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, former president and strongman of the country always.
followed a media campaign to discredit him. After years of silence on his alleged embezzlement TV, the channels controlled by the Kremlin competed originality to blacken the image of the colorful mayor: corruption, negligence, favoritism his wife to become millionaire entrepreneur during the 18-year reign of her husband ... All shots were allowed.
Last week, in agreement with the Kremlin, Yuri Luzhkov went reflect on his future in Austria, where he found himself officially with the family to celebrate its 74th anniversary. Upon returning to work Monday, all observers expected his resignation. But the relentless politician did not budge: he would not leave his post on his own.
Prosecutions for?
For the first time in two years as president, Medvedev has had to dismiss a recalcitrant regional leader. The law allows it entirely from the abolition of gubernatorial elections by his predecessor Putin in 2004. In recent months, all other regional dinosaurs had chosen to leave "voluntarily" to power in exchange for a symbolic position or a comfortable retirement free from justice.
The question that arises now the All-Moscow after this affront to the president, the Russian judicial system "rediscovered" it suddenly malpractice era Luzhkov?
One thing is certain, the ousted mayor can not count on Putin to temper a head of state in his wounded pride. Yesterday the Prime Minister said he fully supported the presidential decision.
few names circulate to replace Yuri Luzhkov. We already know that the next mayor of the capital will be more docile than his fiery predecessor, all candidates owe their political career in Putin-Medvedev tandem.
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