In Russia, Vladimir Putin was elected president. It must be respected as the choice of the nation. There is, however, a minor problem. Russian President Vladimir Putin was president before for a total of 8 years and was a prime minister under Russian President Dmitri Medvedev for 4 years. Therefore, he actually has been in power for 12 years. Also, Dmitri Medvedev was a junior of Vladimir Putin in the university, so he was called a tool of Vladimir Putin by many people.
  It is the second selection of Vladimir Putin where he can seize absolute power because Russia didn't allow him to constitutionally run for a third term. In the end, Dmitri Medvedev was reproved by Vladimir Putin and depended on the strategy of Vladimir Putin with sincerity. Dmitri Medvedev gave a welcome to Vladimir Putin and became prime minister with them shuffling the cards. It is not the way in an advanced democratic country and shouldn't happen. Therefore, Russia is not an advanced democratic country in politics. The international society doesn't welcome the appearance of Vladimir Putin for this reason.
The question is why Vladimir Putin should be the president using this abnormal way. First, most Russians support Vladimir Putin. Second, Vladimir Putin has a strong leadership. Finally, it is believed that the wisdom of Vladimir Putin is needed for Russia to develop its economy and become a global economic power. Vladimir Putin is slated to extend his 16-year tenure by being a prime minister one time and the president three times in Russia.
  However, the problem is that the resistance of the nation on the long-term seizure of power by Vladimir Putin is gradually increasing. The demands that they want to elect a president through the democratic way are increasing despite Vladimir Putin’s strong leadership. In addition, they know the democratic information and practices of the western advanced countries well with increasing SNS. In the future, Vladimir Putin should use more democratic practices to meet the desires of the nation and consider that the president is elected to a six-year term and cannot serve consecutive terms. It depends on the choices of Vladimir Putin if Russia will become an advanced democratic country or a developing dictatorial country.
by Ahn Sung-ho (a professor of Dept. of Political Science and International Relations)