Putin's successor needed to prevent Russia's collapse after his departure — political analyst

Political analyst Volodymyr Horbach expressed this opinion in the World and Us project.

"Firstly, no one is eternal, and I think Putin himself realizes this, and his associates are certainly convinced of it. Since the current power structure is built on Putin’s personal authority, the whole system of control in North Eurasia is built on the fact that Putin sits on the throne as the ruler. Moreover, even within the federation, he has a personal union, for example, with Kadyrov. A lot is built on the personal. And this myth of Putin as a genius ruler, equal to Peter I or Catherine II, who will expand Russia’s territory, is the backbone, so to speak, on which all Russians, regions, citizens, and political forces are strung. They believe in it and perceive it," he said.

Political analyst Horbach noted that if this skewer is removed, for example, due to the natural end of Putin’s life, everything will collapse. Someone else will not be able to quickly rethread this skewer again.

"At least, it will take some time. So, regional elites, political elites, and most importantly, the key elites of the FSB, they are keeping an eye on this issue of the transfer of power. So that it’s not just that Putin dies or disappears, and it’s unclear what to do, but that there is really, as laid down in Russian tradition, a successor. Just as Soviet Politburo members buried their General Secretaries, members of the FSB Collegium must do the same with their leader to inherit his legacy, his power."

Ideally, of course, the legitimacy of the new leader will be greater during this power transition if Putin publicly hands over the power to him, just like Yeltsin handed it over to Putin. It’s not about electoral procedures, voting, or any electoral competition, but about delegating power and, I would say, delegating the political legacy," said the political analyst.

• On May 2, CNN reported that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has likely shifted his immediate focus in the war in Ukraine to more short-term goals—strengthening his positions in territories seized by his troops and stimulating the country’s economy, which is in a difficult state.